UN examines Lanka?s missing

The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances examined cases of missing people including urgent cases in Sri Lanka during its 97th session in Geneva which ended today, the working group said in a statement.

The working group said that it studied 13 reported cases of enforced disappearance under its urgent action procedure, as well as information on more than 200 cases, including newly-submitted cases and previously accepted ones.

The five independent human rights experts studied cases, including urgent actions, concerning Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Colombia, Democratic People?s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Georgia, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

During its 97th session, which took place in Geneva from 9 to 13 July 2012, the Working Group also reviewed responses from various Governments to prompt intervention letters, urgent appeals and general allegations.

In the session, the Working Group discussed two draft general comments on the provisions of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance with regard to the impact of enforced disappearance on women and children.

The experts also examined allegations submitted by credible sources regarding obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration and held discussions on methods of work, past and potential country visits, as well as future activities.

The 98th Session of the Working Group is scheduled for 31 October to 9 November 2012 in Geneva.