GENEVA - The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will hold its 134th session from 16 to 25 September 2024 in Geneva to examine 690 cases from 30 countries and review 19 cases of acts tantamount to enforced disappearances attributed to three non-state actors.
Four independent experts will convene at this session, following the resignation of Angkana Neelapaijit, who was a member of the Working Group between 2022-2024. The members recognise her dedication and contribution as a member.
The experts will hold meetings with relatives of forcibly disappeared persons, State representatives, civil society groups and other stakeholders to exchange information on individual cases and structural issues and challenges related to enforced disappearances.
They will also examine allegations regarding obstacles in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, such as legislation, practices, or systemic failures in addressing cases of enforced disappearances and acts tantamount.
During the session, the Working Group and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances are also planning to adopt a joint statement on the notion of so-called "short-term enforced disappearances".
The session will coincide with the presentation of the Working Group's annual report to the 57th session of the Human Rights Council on 16 September. The Working Group will also report to the Human Rights Council on its visit to the African Union judicial and human rights organs and other subregional bodies, and present two follow-up reports to the recommendations made after its visit to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as a thematic report on enforced disappearances and elections.
The Working Group will also hold a public panel discussion and launch of the study on enforced disappearances and elections on 23 September at 15:00 hrs (CET). Another event on the engagement with the African Union judicial and human rights organs will be organised on 25 September at 15:00 hrs (CET).
Both side-events will take place in Room IX of the Palais des Nations.
The Working Group's decisions during the 134th session will be reflected in its next post-sessional report. Sessions are held in private.
