Out now! Reports on regional consultations with stakeholders
The reports on regional consultations with stakeholders is out! It is time to turn this wealth of experience and lessons learned into....
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WORLD CONGRESS
ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
WORLD CONGRESS
ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
UNIVERSALIZING THE CONVENTION
GENEVA I 15-16 JANUARY 2025
WORLD CONGRESS ON
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
UNIVERSALIZING THE CONVENTION
GENEVA I 15-16 JANUARY 2025
ORGANIZATION
The World Congress is co-organized by CEDI, the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), the United Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
WHAT TO EXPECT
1
OBJECTIVES
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Raise awareness on what enforced disappearance is, its extent and impact worldwide
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Put families and civil society back at the centre of joint efforts
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Develop and adopt an action plan for the ratification and implementation of the Convention and encourage related pledges from all actors
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Promote intergovernmental dialogue and exchanges within a community of practice
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Initiate a process of direct cooperation between all actors to identify and implement joint strategies.
2
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
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International community is mobilized to end practice
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An action plan is adopted, reflecting 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
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All concerned actors are better connected, enabling them to share experiences and good practices.
3
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:
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Technical assistance on ratification and implementation
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Capacity-building sessions and tools to enhance the participation of families and victims’ associations in relevant processes
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Organization of events to address issues of common interest related to enforced disappearances.
4
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 will discuss the main take-aways and develop a draft action plan that will be shared with all actors for consultation prior to the WCED.
NEWS
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.
Following decades of mobilization to prevent and eradicate this horrible 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.
However, the Convention remains one of the least ratified human rights treaties with 76 States parties while, even in States parties, its effective implementation represents a challenge.
It is time to join forces and intensify efforts in the global fight against enforced disappearance.
MULTI-ACTOR PARTICIPATION
OUR AIMS
The World Congress aims to bring together all the relevant actors involved in the fight against enforced disappearances, including:
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States (parties and non-parties to the Convention)
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Relevant international and regional bodies and mechanisms (including CED and WGEID)
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ICAED and families’ organizations from all regions
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International human rights NGOs working on the issue
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International organizations (ICRC, ICMP, IOM)
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National Human Rights Institutions
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Other key actors and experts.
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
PATRONS
PARTNERS
(CIVIL SOCIETY)
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CEDI's CORE STATES
PARTNERS (PRIVATE SECTOR)
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