A/HRC/10/9 page 90 to deal with matters of enforced disappearance. The Working Group also calls upon States, when responding to cases of disappearances in their country, to inform the Working Group of the specific steps taken to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. 452. The Working Group also reminds States of its general comment referring to article 19, which states that “In addition to the punishment of the perpetrators and the rights to monetary compensation, the right to obtain redress for acts of enforced disappearance under article 19 of the Declaration also includes the ‘means for as complete a rehabilitation as possible’.” 453. The Working Group would like to emphasize the right to truth, which should be enjoyed by all victims of enforced disappearance. 454. States ought to take specific measures to promote truth and reconciliation in their societies, as a means to ensure non-repetition of human rights violations, particularly enforced disappearances. Reconciliation takes place at various levels of society, between victims and perpetrators, among groups and at the national level. The Working Group stresses that measures taken to promote reconciliation should not be used as a substitute for bringing perpetrators to justice, in accordance with the principles provided for in the general comment on article 18 of the Declaration. 455. The question of disappearance has a special resonance with women. The serious economic hardships which usually accompany a disappearance are most often borne by them. When women are the victims of disappearance, they become particularly vulnerable to sexual and other forms of violence. In addition, it is they who are most often at the forefront of the struggle to resolve the disappearances of members of their family, making them susceptible to intimidation, persecution and reprisals. 456. The Working Group notes that children are also victims of disappearances, both directly and indirectly. The disappearance of a child, his/her wrongful removal, and the loss of a parent through disappearance are serious violations of children’s rights. 457. The Working Group calls upon States to take specific measures to prevent and punish threats, intimidation and reprisals against all victims of enforced disappearances, including family members, witnesses and human rights defenders working on these cases. 458. Country visits are an integral part of the fulfilment of the Working Group’s mandate, as they allow the Working Group to highlight country practices in addressing enforced disappearances, assist States in reducing obstacles to the implementation of the Declaration, and ensure access to those family members who might not be able to attend the Working Group’s sessions in Geneva. It would like to thank the States that have extended invitations to visit their countries or hosted the Working Group’s sessions. However, because informal confirmation and even standing invitations are not sufficient, the Working Group calls on all States with pending requests for visits to respond with specific dates as soon as possible.