The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will hold in hybrid format its 126th session from 7 to 11 February 2022 to examine more than 300 cases from 24 countries.
The five independent 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 on structural issues and challenges related to enforced disappearances.
The experts will also examine allegations received regarding obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (‘the Declaration’), such as regressive legislation and practices, or systemic failures in addressing cases of enforced disappearance, notably in the areas of truth and justice.
The Working Group will also discuss internal matters and future activities, including its envisaged country visits for 2022 and 2023 and the special initiative marking the 30th anniversary of the Declaration.
Issues such as disappearances perpetrated by non-state actors as well as the linkages between enforced disappearances and new technologies will also be discussed during the session.
The decisions made by the Working Group during the 126th session will be reflected in its next post-sessional report.
The sessions of the Working Group are held in private.