WHAT IS AN ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE?
The essence of disappearance is simple. One day, the family members and loved ones of an innocent person discover that they are gone. A person acting on behalf of the government kidnaps someone, and contact will be lost, possibly forever. The victim of kidnapping is likely to be tortured or even killed. The cruelty of disappearance is unique: not only does it deprive the disappeared person of their liberty, but it can keep their loved ones scared for many years.
There are three elements to an enforced disappearance. Firstly, the liberty of the person must be taken away against their will. Secondly, what separates a disappearance from a simple kidnapping is the involvement of government agents. The third element is the refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty and hiding any information about the victim of the disappearance.
WHY IS IT AN ISSUE?
Disappearance is used primarily to scare activists and human rights defenders and suppress their views. Not only does it directly violate their right to liberty, but it also creates fear in their community and silences important voices. By silencing the opinions of minorities, governments deprive their country of diversity. Hearing opinions that we disagree with is an important form of learning for everyone, and disappearances are a violent tool that prevents such opinions from being openly expressed.
Everyone should feel safe in their country. Victims of disappearance are often imprisoned, tortured or even murdered. Governments do this without accusing people of any crime or giving them a trial. They apply punishment simply because they want to. This violates international law and deprive their citizens of dignity.
The impact of a disappearance is felt by the victim’s family members, who are also completely innocent. For an indefinite period of time, they will have no information about their loved ones. The families of victims often spend many years hoping that the victim is safe, trying to find information about them, only to find out that they have been murdered.
HOW CAN WE STAND UP TO DISAPPEARANCES?
Thousands of people across the globe are standing up for victims of disappearance. By writing letters to their government, arranging protests or taking legal action, the families of victims have often been able to pressure governments into releasing their loved ones. Some countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, have adopted specific laws aimed at protecting human rights activists and people who criticise the government. This is a very positive step. Even if a future government wishes to disappear those who they see as a threat, such national laws will allow people to be protected.
