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WORLD CONGRESS ON

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES

UNIVERSALIZING THE CONVENTION

GENEVA I 14-16 JANUARY 2025

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TIME FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION

Where are they? This is the unbearable question that the relatives of the disappeared are left to wrestle with. Tragically, enforced disappearances remains a contemporary practice across the globe, with devastating repercussions on entire societies.

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To prevent and eradicate this horrendous practice, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (the Convention) was adopted in 2006 thanks to the tireless joint efforts of States, associations of victims, human rights non-governmental organizations and experts.

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However, the Convention remains one of the least ratified human rights treaties with 72 States parties while, even in States parties, its effective implementation represents a challenge.

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It is time to join forces and intensify efforts towards the universalization of the Convention, the basis of the global fight against enforced disappearance.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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OBJECTIVES

  • Raise  awareness  on  what  enforced disappearance  is,  its  extent  and  impact world wide
     

  • Put  families  and  civil  society  back  at  the centre of joint efforts
     

  • Develop  and  adopt  a  common  strategy and  action  plan  for  ratification  and implementation of the Convention
     

  • Promote  intergovernmental  dialogue  and exchanges within a community of practice
     

  • Initiate a process of direct cooperation between all actors to identify and implement joint strategies.

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EXPECTED OUTCOMES

  • International community mobilized to end practice
     

  • Definition and adoption of a common strategy and action plan that reflects the priorities of relatives and civil society organizations, includes voluntary pledges and identifies action points to be taken by all actors in all the regions of the world
     

  • All concerned actors better connected, enabling them to share experiences and good practices.

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LASTING POSITIVE
IMPACT

The WCED is part of a multi-actor process that aims to achieve lasting results for the protection of all persons against enforced disappearances. Follow-up activities may include:

 

  • Technical assistance on ratification and implementation
     

  • Capacity-building sessions and tools to enhance the participation of families and victims’ associations in relevant processes
     

  • Organization of events to address issues of common interest related to enforced disappearances.

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CONSULTATION PROCESS

Broad  consultations  will  be  held  with  all  relevant actors prior to the WCED. Regional consultations  will  allow  local  actors  to exchange  on  the  challenges  they  face,  existing strategies and their results, and identify topics to address at the WCED. Following  regional  consultations,  a  roundtable  of experts  and key actors will  discuss  the  main  take-aways  and develop a  draft outcome document that  will be  shared  with  all  actors for  consultation prior to the WCED.

The World Congress is organised by CEDI, in partnership with the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and with the support of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

ORGANIZATION

MULTI-ACTOR PARTICIPATION

​OUR AIMS

The World Congress aims to bring together all the relevant actors involved in the fight against enforced disappearances, including:

  • States (parties and non-parties to the Convention)

  • Relevant international and regional bodies and mechanisms (including CED and WGEID)

  • ICAED and families’ organizations from all regions

  • International human rights NGOs working on the issue

  • International organizations (ICRC, ICMP)

  • National Human Rights Institutions

  • Other key actors and experts.

PLEDGES

All actors – including States, CSOs, international and regional organizations and mechanisms, academic institutions, experts – will be encouraged to register voluntary commitments on the occasion of the WCED.

ARGUMENTS

Find out more about the arguments on why all states should ratify the convention

GENERAL INFORMATION

The WCED will take place in Geneva at the International Conference Center Geneva from 14 to 16 January 2025.

LOCATION & DATES

The programme will be based on the outcome of the regional consultations and will be available later in 2024.

PROGRAMME

Further information regarding registrations will be available on this website. Stay tuned for updates!

REGISTRATION

Stay in the know and register to our newsletter to be kept updated on WCED news.

NEWSLETTER

NEWS

ED World Congress on Enforced Disappearances

The Convention against Enforced Disappearances Initiative (CEDI) is a multi-actor organization created to foster synergies to promote the universalization of the Convention.

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