PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on enforced or involuntary disappearances [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.
UK Statement for the Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Delivered at the 57th HRC in Geneva.
Mr Vice President, the United Kingdom would like to thank the Working Group for its report and for the insights provided.
The UK strongly condemns all instances of enforced disappearance; they are clear violations of human rights. As we know, this issue deeply affects the families of victims and leaves a lasting impact on their communities, as well as damaging and undermining the effectiveness of the rule of law.
We share concerns outlined in the report that limited records of disappearances do not accurately reflect the actual numbers of enforced disappearances in States, and that victims are likely to become subject to inhuman treatment and torture.
We must collectively advocate for increased global engagement to eradicate instances of these grave human rights violations.
The UK urges states to fully investigate all allegations of enforced disappearance and prosecute those responsible to provide justice for victims and their families. We must remain committed to promoting and protecting the rule of law internationally.
Members of the Working Group,
What tools for recording and raising allegations to the Working Group can be made readily available to those involved in investigating cases of enforced disappearances?
