A/HRC/33/51
114. The Working Group is concerned about the situation in a number of countries,
as reflected in the present report. It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which
provides that no circumstances whatsoever, whether a threat of war, a state of war,
internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked to justify
enforced disappearances. The number of urgent actions sent during the reporting
period, in particular to Egypt and Pakistan, is of serious concern. The Working
Group appreciates that both Governments maintain a fruitful dialogue with the
Working Group and cooperate with the mandate, including through providng
information on cases.
115. The Working Group continues to be concerned about increasing instances of
abductions carried out by non-State actors, which may be tantamount of acts of
enforced disappearances. The Working Group held an expert meeting in February
2016 to discuss the issue and will continue to study whether those situations may fall
under its mandate and, if so, what actions should be taken. The Working Group calls
on all relevant stakeholders to take appropriate measures in relation to the issue and
to provide information to, and share their views on the matter with, the Working
Group.
116. The Working Group continues to note a pattern of threats, intimidation and
reprisals against victims of enforced disappearance, including family members,
witnesses and human rights defenders working on such cases. It calls upon States to
take specific measures to prevent such acts, protect those working on cases of enforced
disappearances and punish the perpetrators, in accordance with article 13 (1) and (3)
of the Declaration. The Working Group reiterates its support for the establishment of
a United Nations-wide senior focal point to engage with all stakeholders, in particular
Member States, to promote the prevention of, protection against and accountability
for reprisals and intimidation related to cooperation with the United Nations, its
representatives and mechanisms (see A/HRC/27/49, para. 119 and A/HRC/30/38,
para. 104). It regrets that still no progress has been made on that matter during the
reporting period.
117. The Working Group has decided to study further the question of enforced
disappearances in the context of migration (see above, paras. 45 ff.). It calls upon all
States to also carefully look into the matter and inform the Working Group of any
measure taken to prevent and combat that phenomenon.
118. Country visits are an integral part of the mandate fulfilled by the Working
Group. Visits allow the Working Group to highlight country practices in addressing
enforced disappearance, to assist States in reducing obstacles to implement the
Declaration and to ensure direct contact with the family members of victims. The
Working Group thanks the Government of South Sudan for the invitation extended
during the reporting period. It also recognizes the support provided by the
Governments of Sri Lanka and Turkey during the visits carried out in the reporting
period. During that period, the Working Group requested visits to Lebanon and
Ukraine, which have both issues standing invitations to special procedures of the
Human Rights Council. In addition to those new requests, the Working Group has
requested in the past — and reiterated during the reporting period — a visit to the
following countries, without having yet received a positive response: Bangladesh,
Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua,
the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, South Africa, the Syrian Arab
Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United Arab
Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. There are other countries that have invited the
Working Group to visit and/or confirmed invitations, but for which specific dates to
visit have not been agreed, such as Algeria, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the
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