BOLIVIA DEPOSITS RATIFICATION

Bolivia became the 7th country to ratify the Convention. Bolivia deposited the ratification on December 17. This leaves 13 more ratifications till the entry into force.

SENEGAL DEPOSITS RATIFICATION

Senegal became the 6th country to deposit the ratification of the Convention with the United Nations. It became the 6th country to ratify. This leaves 14 more ratifications till entry into force.

FAMILIES IN BALCANS CALL ON GOVERNMENTS TO RATIFY CONVENTION

In Belgrade, during the 11th annual conference of families of missing persons from the Balcan region from the November 28-30, 2008, associations of families of disappeared called on all the governments in the region to ratify the Convention. Link to the article

PARLIAMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN ADOPTS CONVENTION

The parliament of Kazakhstan on November 27 passed a law to ratify the Convention. Together with the recent aodption of the Senate in Uruguay the total of ratifications becomes 7. These two ratifications however still need to be deposited at the UN to become official. Link to news article

ROMANIA SIGNED THE CONVENTION

On December 3rd Romania signed the Convention bringing the total of signatures to 80.

ICJ URGES NEPALI STATE TO AMEND DISAPPEARANCE BILL

On 25 November 2008, the ICAED member, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), released a letter welcoming the Government of Nepal's initiative in drafting the Bill on Disappearances (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2065, but also urging the Constituent Assembly to adopt a series of amendments to ensure compliance with human rights obligations." The Bill does not comply with several provisions of the Convention. Link to letter on ICJ website

RESOLUTION OF THIRD COMMITTEE OF UN GA ON CONVENTION

The Third Committee of the General Assembly on November 22 2008 adopted a resolution with consensus calling on States to ratify the Convention. The resolution was proposed by Argentina. The United States joined the consensus.The representative of the United States said he had been pleased to join the consensus, because his Government shared the concern of others on the need to respond decisively on that issue.  Read the resolution

ICAED CALLS ON COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBERS TO RATIFY CONVENTION

During the meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the Council of Europe in Cyprus on November 24 2008, the ICAED recalled the history of disappearances in Europe and called on States to ratify the Convention and take protective measures at the national level.

CONGRESS OF URUGUAY APPROVES RATIFICATION

On November 11 the Congress of Uruguay has ratified the Convention. In the upcoming days the president of the republic will issue the new law.

ICAED CALLS UPON A QUICK RATIFICATION OF THE CONVENTION BY THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT

On November 12 the ICAED has sent a letter to the President of Indonesia to ask attention for the convention on disappearances. With this letter the ICAED wants to stress that the prompt signing, ratification and implementation of this Convention should become a priority matter for the Indonesian government. Read the letter.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF MALI AUTHORIZES RATIFICATION

On October 30 the National Assembly of Mali unanimously authorized the ratification of the convention. Read the news article (in French; somewhere at two thirds of the arcticle)

BELGIUM MINISTER QUESTIONED ON THE PROGRESS OF RATIFICATION

In answer to questions in parliament on October 23rd the Belgium Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that proceedings are moving forward at the Ministry of Justice but that it could take some time. However the political will to proceed swiflty in the ratification process is present. Read the question and answer (in Dutch and French)

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CALLS ON NEXT US PRESIDENT TO SIGN CONVENTION

Human Rights Watch calls on te next US president to include in its human rights agenda as one of the first steps to sign and press the Senate to ratify the Convention against Enforced Disappearance to signal an intention to never again engage in such practices.

VENEZUELA SIGNED THE CONVENTION (WITH RESERVATION).

On October 21st the Permanent Representative of Venezuela to the United Nations signed the convention. Click here for a link to a news item (in Spanish). Venzuela made a reservation on article 42, that it does not conider itself obliged to resort to arbitration as a dispute setlement mechanism.

REPORT OF INVESTIGATION OF FRANCE PRIOR TO RATIFICATION

Prior to the ratification of France on September 23 the french Foreign Affairs Committee produced a report with the results of the investigation of the text of the convention. It includes an impact study and the draft law for ratification (only one article). Read the report in french

ICAED AND CAMPAIGN COMPLETE FIRST YEAR

On September 26 the ICAED and its international campaign for the convention completed their first anniversary. In this year membership increased from 11 organisations to 34. NGOs as well as governments acknowledge the ICAED more and more as an essential coordinating and binding element for an effective campaign.

FOUR COUNTRIES SIGN THE CONVENTION

On September 29 Tanzania and Lao signed the convention. Followed by Greece and Iceland who signed on October 1st. The signatories for the convention have now reached a total of 78.

ICAED SIDE EVENT TO THE HUMAN DIMENSION IMPLEMANTATION OF OSCE IN WARSAW

On October 2 the ICAED will host a roundtable of experts who speak about the current and ongoing challenges in efforts to promote awareness and effective remedies about enforced disappearances and the convention. Link to information about the side event.

CAMPAIGN OF CULTURE FIGURES FOR CONVENTION

On September 17 the Free Belarus Theatre performed a show in the Netherlands to start the international campaign of culture figures in support of the convention on enforced disappearances. Link to brief report of the show.

BULGARIA SIGNES CONVENTION DURING TREATY EVENT IN NY

On September 24, one day after the ratification of France and the speech of Argentine's president Christina Kirchner, who advocated strongly for the convention, Bulgaria became the 74th state to sign.

BAN KI MOON CALLS FOR RATIFICATION OF CONVENTION

September 23 2008 - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, at the inauguration event of an exhibition on the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo during te 63rd General Assembly, specifically called on all UN Member States to ratify the convention on enforced disappearances.  

FRANCE DEPOSITED RATIFICATION ON SEPTEMBER 23 MAKING IT THE 5TH RATIFICATION

France, the leading country in the process of the negotations for the convention, deposited its ratification on September 23 in New York. French Minister of State Rama Yade was present at the ceremony. The convention has now been ratified by 5 countries. Link to webpage of french MoFa on convention

READ MORE IN THE NEWS ARCHIVE:

2008

2007