A/HRC/27/49 Referral of claims of crimes against humanity to other bodies 32. As highlighted in its methods of work (A/HRC/WGEID/102/2, para. 48) and its general comment on enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity (A/HRC/13/31 and Corr.1, para. 39), when there are claims of practices of enforced disappearances which may amount to crimes against humanity, the Working Group evaluates those claims and, if appropriate, may refer them to the competent authorities, be they international, regional or domestic. In the light of the seriousness of the situation in relation to enforced disappearances in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/WGEID/102/1, paras. 156 and 157), and in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (A/HRC/WGEID/103/1, paras. 67 and 68), the Working Group wrote to the President of the Human Rights Council, the President of the General Assembly, the President of the Security Council and the Secretary-General to request the adoption of any appropriate action that they may deem appropriate. In particular, the Working Group requested the President of the Security Council to bring the matters to the attention of the Council for any appropriate action, including a possible referral to the International Criminal Court. The Working Group informed the respective Governments of that step in letters dated 5 March 2014 and 12 June 2014, respectively. F. Press releases and statements 33. On 8 November 2012, the Working Group, jointly with the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, issued a statement on the occasion of the second meeting between the two bodies held on 1 November 2012.12 34. On 18 December 2012, the Working Group issued a press statement on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration, noting that enforced disappearances continued to occur in several countries across the globe, notably in situations of conflict or internal unrest or as a tool to fight terrorism or organized crime.13 35. On 8 May 2013, the Working Group issued a press release, urging all Governments to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.14 36. On 10 June 2013, the Working Group issued a press release welcoming the recognition of the importance of equality in a key United Nations report on the post-2015 development agenda.15 37. On 19 July 2013, the Working Group issued a press release on the occasion of its 100th session, calling for new strategies to fight the crime of enforced disappearance.16 38. On 29 August 2013, the Working Group, jointly with the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, issued a press release on the occasion of the third International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.17 39. On 24 October 2013, a press release was issued on the occasion of the address to the General Assembly of its Chairperson-Rapporteur and the Chairperson of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances.18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12754&LangID=E. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12896&LangID=E. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13310&LangID=E. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13433&LangID=E. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13568&LangID=E. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13668&LangID=E. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13898&LangID=E. 7