Background
Enforced disappearances are among the most serious human rights violations. They have a profound impact on those affected, including individuals, families, communities, and groups. The effect on women is particularly cruel, as they experience distinct consequences that are often exacerbated by intersecting forms of discrimination
Today, enforced disappearances occur in a wide range of contexts, including armed conflict, social and political repression, organised crime, hard-line security policies, and even situations linked to human mobility.
The lack of truth, justice and reparation that so often accompanies enforced disappearances, combined with the absence of guarantees of non-recurrence, constitutes a major obstacle to building peaceful societies.
In the face of this reality, and in contrast to the inaction or ineffectiveness of the competent authorities in searching for disappeared persons and investigating these crimes, families—and women in particular—have taken the lead in searching for their disappeared relatives and in the fight against impunity.
This commitment is not without risks. In addition to the devastating consequences of the disappearance of a loved one, those who undertake the search often face institutional indifference, contempt, stigmatization, criminalization and threats. Numerous cases have also been documented of verbal and physical attacks, as well as the killing or disappearance of searchers themselves.
States must fulfil their obligations with regard to prevention, investigation, protection and comprehensive reparation. At the same time, there is an urgent need to strengthen support for search collectives and to recognize their critical contribution as human rights defenders and peacebuilders.
Exchange of Experiences
One of the needs repeatedly expressed by women searchers in different forums is the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with women searchers from other parts of the world; to establish dialogue and alliances that transcend borders; to recognise themselves in one another’s pain and struggles despite geographical, cultural or linguistic differences; and to jointly develop global strategies to bring an end to enforced disappearances.
The organisation of more international meetings of women searchers was one of the calls to action that emerged from the World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, held in Geneva in 2025. Building on the experience of previous gatherings, ICIP offered its support to advance this initiative and invited other stakeholders to join this collective effort.
In addition to following up on the World Congress, this meeting forms part of the CED20 commemorations, marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. In this context, the meeting seeks to promote the Convention’s universal ratification, reinvigorate the commitment to its implementation, and strengthen the international movement against enforced disappearances.
