On August 30 of each year, the UN observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance. This day aims to increase awareness about the numbers of enforced disappearances around the world. According to the UN, more than 6,000 people were registered as missing in Kosovo since 1999. Hence, the resource center for missing persons in Kosovo has also been initiated by the UN.
Significance
The day is observed to raise awareness about the suffering of people who are arrested, detained or abducted against their will and governments refuse to disclose the whereabouts of such people. Enforced disappearance is a global problem that is still being practiced around the world. It is a serious violation of human rights that is not restricted to a specific region.
HISTORY
In 2007, activists and family members of victims of enforced disappearances in the Philippines declared August 30th as the International Day of the Disappeared. One year later, the International Coalition against Enforced Disappearances joined hands for a global campaign. On December 21, 2010, the United Nations expressed its concern over the increasing numbers of involuntary disappearances throughout the world. In 2011 during the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, the UN declared August 30th of each year to be International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.