The Missing Persons Project and the Conference

1. The Missing Persons Project and the Conference

2. The ICRC Process An Internal Objective: • To establish operational guide-lines on the missing issues: • by reviewing all working methods at the political and field level

3. The ICRC Process Several External Objectives: • To review all methods to prevent disappearances in conflict and respond to the needs of families that have lost contact with their loved ones

4. The ICRC Process Several External Objectives: • To agree upon common recommendations and operational practices • To raise this concern to a higher level on the agendas of government authorities, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations.

5. Process Organization • First Stage (02-09.2002) • 3 external studies • 2 electronic workshops • 6 workshops • Second Stage • Conference of governmental and non governmental experts 19-21 February 2003

6. Topics addressed at the Conference • The Missing: Persons whose families are without news of them, and/or Who are reported missing on the basis of reliable information Owing to armed conflict or internal violence

7. Topics addressed at the Conference • Families needs : • be considered as victims • the right to know • accountability and acknowledgment to be recognized

8. Families specific needs • Particular attention must be paid to single heads of families and children whose parents are both missing • Assistance shall aim at self-sufficiency • Psychological support shall be provided • Independent family network and associations should be encouraged

9. Responsibilities • of States for prevention and for clarification of the fate of persons unaccounted for • of Armed groups based on treaty and customary law • of IO and NGOs to promote awareness, give support and act as facilitators

10. Prevention • Ratifying and adhering to treaties • Implementing the treaties’ provisions into domestic law • Teaching the rules contained in these treaties • Enforcing and respecting the treaties’ provisions

11. Information management • Compilation of comprehensive files on an impartial basis • Coordination between actors (working methods and processing procedure) • Centralization of information • Legal rules governing the protection of personal data must be respected • Information should be shared without endangering victims or the sources of the information

12. Information on the dead • Information on the dead = reduction of the number of missing • Despoliation & desecration of the dead are crimes under international law • Authorities bear the primary responsibility

13. Outcome of the Conference • Observations and Recommendationsadopted by consensus: Binding / non binding • Implementation of best operational practices within and among actors involved in the field • Participants pledged to raise the issue of Missing persons in other fora

14. Outcome of the Conference • The most outstanding feature debate has been the diversity of its participants • The reality of the suffering of families has been recognized • The law as a means to help alleviate suffering has been presented as a tool • Historical step for the search of solutions