A/HRC/4/41 page 92 Information from the Government 448. On 16 December 2005, the Government of Ukraine transmitted one communication to the Working Group concerning the three persons who reportedly disappeared together in 1995. The Government stated that on 6 April 2005, the criminal investigation that was instituted pursuant to the disappearance of the three persons had been suspended. At present government authorities are reportedly taking steps to determine the whereabouts of the subjects and to establish the identity of the perpetrators. In addition, disciplinary proceedings have been instituted against militia officers for improper performance of their duties. Information from sources 449. No information was received from sources regarding outstanding cases. Summary of the situation prior to the period under review 450. The three outstanding cases concern two brothers and a friend who were allegedly abducted by security forces in 1995. Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding 451. In the past and during the period under review, the Working Group has transmitted four cases to the Government; of those, one case has been clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government and three cases remain outstanding. Observations 452. The Working Group continues to be concerned about the suspension of investigations in disappearance cases and wishes to remind the Government of its obligations to conduct thorough and impartial investigations “for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified”, in accordance with article 13, paragraph 6, of the Declaration. United States of America Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review 0 Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review Cases sent under Cases sent under the standard the urgent action procedure procedure 0 Number of cases on which the Government has replied 0 General allegation Prompt intervention letter Working Group request for a visit 0 Cases clarified during the period under review by: Government Non-governmental sources 0 Multiple replies on some cases N/A Yes N/A N/A 0 Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review 0 Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule) N/A Government response Government response Government response Yes N/A N/A