Investigations commenced on disappearances

A panel of independent United Nations experts have begun investigating new or existing cases of disappearances in Sri Lanka and several other countries.

The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances met in New York to review under their urgent action procedure, 17 reported cases of enforced disappearances that have occurred in the last six months, as well as more than 400 newly reported or existing cases in more than 25 countries including Sri Lanka, a UN statement said. In a news release issued at the close of latest session, the experts urged that efforts be strengthened to ensure prompt identification and qualification of cases of enforced disappearances, which is essential to hold perpetrators of this crime accountable. “One by one, the disappeared will be reclaimed. The Working Group is the guarantor of this need and the keeper of this promise,” its Chair-Rapporteur, Olivier de Frouville of France, said.