International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023: History, Significance

Cases of enforced disappearances are being found in every part of the world and have thus become a global problem. To draw worldwide attention to this problem, August 30 every year is observed as International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

The day attracts focus of people all over the world to the fate of individuals imprisoned at different places under poor conditions unknown to their relatives.

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances for the next 5 years.

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023 Overview

Significance of International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023

The number of people who are victims of enforced disappearances have continued to rise at alarming rate and it is important to spread awareness of the situation among people. Such disappearances are used as a strategy to spread terror within the society and not only terrorize the victims or their families but affect the communities and society as a whole.

The action is highly condemned and calls for an urgent need to facilitate the return of disappeared ones or at least work toward finding information about them. In view of this, International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was declared to be observed on 30 August.

History behind International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances Observation

On 21 December 2010 the UN General Assembly, in its resolution 65/209, expressed deep concern about the increase in enforced or involuntary disappearances in various regions of the world. These disappearances also include cases of forced arrest, detention and abduction.

The Assembly welcomed the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and declared 30 August to be observed as International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

Following the declaration, the first International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was observed on August 30, 2011.

How enforced disappearances affect victims, their families and communities? 

Enforced disappearance is not only a curse on the individuals who are its victim but also for their family members, friends and communities as well.

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Victims- The victims of enforced disappearance live in constant fear not knowing what torture awaits them and when and how will they be killed. They are well-aware that their families do not know about their whereabouts and chances of them being found are slim to none. They are snatched of all basic human rights and live or die on the mercy of their abductors.

Family & Friends- Families and friends of the victims worry constantly about them and experience mental torture every second of every day. They keep going from one official to another to get any information about their loved ones and sometimes suffer themselves a similar fate.

Communities- There is a degradation of economic situation of the families and their social marginalization.

Observation of International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023

Each year the UN conducts events to raise awareness for victims of enforced disappearances. Many activists share stories of missing friends and relatives showing how enforced disappearances affect their lives and their communities.

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