International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances – Joint press release by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Argentinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship (August 30, 2022)

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On the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, France and Argentina, which have worked together for many years to combat enforced disappearances, reaffirm their commitment to this fight.

Enforced disappearances remain a reality in every part of the world. These practices, which may constitute crimes against humanity, prevent the families of disappeared persons from knowing the fate of their loved ones and the truth about what really happened, and hinder the quest for justice.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which entered into force 12 years ago and has 68 States parties, was a milestone in the fight against these practices by giving them a definition under international law.

Argentina and France welcome the fact that since August 30, 2021, Croatia, Denmark, Luxembourg and Slovenia have ratified the Convention. Together they encourage all nations to become States parties to the Convention in order to arrive at its universal ratification. They also call for the Convention’s full and effective implementation and commend the work carried out by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, which oversees its enforcement.

Argentina and France also hail the contributions made by civil society organizations and human rights defenders involved in the fight against enforced disappearances, as they play a vital role in signaling and documenting these occurrences.