This Thursday, December 10, 2020, as every year, we celebrate International Human Rights Day. It commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This year, it takes on a special meaning as it precedes by a few days the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which took place on December 23, 2010, four years after its adoption by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2006.

This international Convention marked a historic step forward in the fight against the abominable crimes of enforced disappearance and the multiple human rights violations that accompany them, as well as against the impunity of their perpetrators. It is also a major step forward for at least three reasons. Firstly, it is binding and obliges all States parties to prevent and punish all the offences it covers. Secondly, in addition to enshrining the right not to be subjected to enforced disappearance, it also sets out the rights to truth, justice and reparation for victims of enforced disappearance. Finally, it incorporates mechanisms for monitoring and following up its implementation and compliance.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is therefore in itself a formidable legal instrument in the fight against this crime at both national and international level, as it obliges States Parties to cooperate with each other. But it can only be fully effective if it is ratified and implemented by as many countries as possible. 10 years after its entry into force, it is clear that enforced disappearances are still being perpetrated on a massive scale across the globe, and that the Convention has only been ratified by a small number of countries - 63, including only 13 members of the European Union. Under these conditions, it is clearly unlikely that the target of 150 ratifications set by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will be reached by 2022.

What assessment can be made of the Convention's 10 years of implementation? How can we mobilize stakeholders to contribute to its universal ratification and full and effective application? These are some of the questions that will be addressed at an online conference to be held this Saturday, December 12, 2020, from 3pm to 6pm (Paris time). It will bring together diplomats, international civil servants, associations and NGOs, academics.
This online conference is open to all individuals and organizations committed to contributing to the fight against this crime that afflicts so many families around the world, or simply wishing to be informed.

By: Euro-Mediterranean Federation against Enforced Disappearances, Collectif des Familles de disparus en Algérie, Terre et Liberté pour Arauco-Wallmapu, Forum Marocain pour la vérité et la justice (France), ODH Gabon, Association ¿Dónde Están? - Où sont-ils (Uruguay), Association des parents et amis de disparus au Maroc, Collectif pour les droits de l'Homme au Chili, Collectif Paris Ayotzinapa, AFASPA, Association des familles de disparus au Pérou, le Collectif Guatemala.

Registration: https: //bit.ly/10ansConventionDF

Press contact: Euro-Mediterranean Federation against Enforced Disappearances (FEMED)
Phone: +33 (0)7 60 21 06 22
E-mail: secretariat.femed@disparitions-euromed.org