General Comment No. 1 on Enforced Disappearances in the context of Migration

The Committee on Enforced Disappearances adopted its 1^st General Comment on Enforced Disappearances in the context of migration. This document is the outcome of three years of research and consultation:

1. At its 22nd session in April 2022, the Committee adopted a concept note outlining the issue, objectives and possible scope of the General Comment. The contributions received can be consulted on this page.
2. In August and December 2022, the Committee held regional consultations on the Concept note, in coordination with OHCHR presences in Latin America and the Caribbean (16 and 17 August 2022); Asia Pacific (18 August 2022); Europe (5^th December 2022) and Africa: (12 and 13 December 2022).
3. During the 24^th Session, the Committee adopted its 1^st draft of the General Comment (English | Français | Español), and launched a call for inputs. The contributions received can be consulted on this page.
4. After a thorough analysis of all inputs received, the Committee adopted the final unedited version of its General Comment on 18 September 2023.
5. On 28September 2023, the Committee launched its first General Comment in a public event, that brought together key actors in the field, including States parties, NGOs, victims, and academia to raise awareness about the general comment, and to identify actions and strategies as to the way forward to foster its implementation. At the launch event, the High Commissioner, Mr. Volker Türk, emphasised the importance of this General Comment by noting that “if implemented, it will help ensure that victims and their relatives can access justice systems and thus accountability and redress”, and encouraged States “to implement the Committee’s recommendations as swiftly as possible.” All statements made during the launch event can be consulted on this page.