The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances concluded its 92nd session, which was held from 3 to 12 November 2010, at the United Nations Office in Geneva. During this session, the Working Group observed its 30th Anniversary by holding a commemorative event on 5 November. Among delegates from all over the world representing relatives of the disappeared people, We Remember founder Irina Krasovskaya was present during the commemoration.

During its 92nd session, the Working Group examined 23 reported cases under its urgent action procedure, 284 newly-submitted cases of enforced disappearances and information on previously accepted cases concerning tens of countries including Belarus.

The Working Group also finalized and approved its 2010 annual report, which includes chapters on 94 States and two general comments on the right to the truth in relation to enforced disappearances and on enforced disappearance as a continuous crime. The report also includes all new cases and those already under consideration, and the Working Group’s major concerns and observations. The report will be presented at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council, in March 2011.

During this session, the Working Group observed its 30th Anniversary by holding a commemorative event on 5 November. Participants included H.E. Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, and Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. Among the panelists were distinguished experts including former and current members of the Working Group. Representatives of the organizations uniting family members of the disappeared persons all over the world were present too.

The Working Group was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1980 to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of disappeared relatives. The Working Group endeavours to establish a channel of communication between the families and the Governments concerned, to ensure that individual cases are investigated, with the objective of clarifying the whereabouts of persons who, having disappeared, are placed outside the protection of the law. In view of the Working Group's humanitarian mandate, clarification occurs when the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person is clearly established. The Working Group continues to address cases of disappearances until they are resolved. The Working Group also provides assistance in the implementation by States of the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

The Working Group is comprised of five independent experts from all regions of the world. The Chair-Rapporteur is Mr. Jeremy Sarkin (South Africa) and the other members are Mr. Ariel Dulitkzy (Argentina), Ms. Jasminka Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Mr. Osman El-Hajjé (Lebanon) and Mr. Olivier de Frouville (France).

For more information on the WGEID, please refer to the following web site: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disappear/index.htm

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