International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Why in the news
The United Nations marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August. The day honours people who have been forcibly disappeared and draws attention to the problem.
Key facts
- Date: 30 August each year.
- Established by: UN General Assembly Resolution 65/209, 21 December 2010.
- First observed: 2011.
- Scale: hundreds of thousands disappeared in at least 85 countries.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Convention adopted by UNGA | 20 December 2006 |
| Convention in force | 23 December 2010 |
| Day established | 21 December 2010 |
| Day first observed | 2011 |
About enforced disappearance
Under the 1992 UN Declaration, it occurs when people are arrested, detained or abducted against their will, and the authorities then refuse to reveal their fate or whereabouts, placing them outside legal protection. The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances accepts cases from any country, and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances is the treaty body.
Exam angle
- Date, resolution number 65/209 and first year 2011 are common questions.
- The day links to the 2006 International Convention, in force since 2010.