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 Home > Focus > Missing persons News Iraq: progress in clarifying fate of former POWs missing after Iran-Iraq war 11-6-2008 News release 14-4-2008 News release Section The missing - a major ICRC initiative  Section on the ICRC’s call for action to deal with the problem of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence and to assist their families; extensive documentation on the missing and on meetings dealing with the problem. The ICRC carries out a range of activities to resolve the problem of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence and to assist their families. none
Countries where the ICRC carries out activities in favour of the missing.
Its aim is to heighten awareness among governments, the military, international and national organizations – including the worldwide Red Cross and Red Crescent network – and the general public about the tragedy of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence, including the anguish faced by their families. See also  Key document28-2-2008 Women and the Missing: the burden of those left behindOn the occasion of International Women’s Day (8 March), Florence Tercier, ICRC’s women and war adviser, explains the immensely challenging plight of women whose male relatives have gone missing in war and what the ICRC is doing to support them. (Focus\Women and war) Interview Includes Photo 29-8-2007 Missing persons: a serious shadow, a preventable tragedyAt a press conference in Geneva to launch an ICRC report entitled Missing Persons: a hidden tragedy, the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, has called on the international community to do more to address the plight of missing persons and their families. (Focus\Missing persons) Press briefing Includes Photo 28-8-2007 Missing Persons - A hidden tragedyPeople have gone missing as long as men have been fighting wars. The plight of people missing in armed conflict and the suffering of their families has been a consistent concern to the ICRC. This specially commissioned report, written by an independent journalist, turns the spotlight onto the plight of missing persons and their families. (Focus\Missing persons) ICRC Publication 27-8-2007 The Missing: preventing disappearances and finding answersOn the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared on 30 August, Renée Zellweger Monin, head of the ICRC's Task Force on the Missing, talks about how the organization is working to prevent disappearances and bring news to the long-suffering families of the missing. (Focus\Missing persons) Interview Includes Photo Feature23-6-2008 Kenya: ICRC forensic expert helps identify victims of post-election violenceFollowing the post-electoral violence that shook Kenya in early 2008, the Kenyan Ministry of Health requested help from the ICRC to support local forensic teams identify badly decomposed or burned bodies. The ICRC sent three of its forensic experts to Kenya between January and June 2008. The ICRC’s Nicole Engelbrecht reports from Nairobi. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Feature Includes Photo 4-4-2008 Chechnya: Gawza says she is all cried outIn January 2008 the ICRC embarked on a programme designed to assess the legal, administrative, psychological and psycho-social needs of people who have a loved one missing. Virginie, a psychologist, and Aïna – both working for the ICRC in Grozny – visited Gawza, whose son is missing. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Russia) Feature Includes Photo 29-2-2008 Iran: long years of incertitude and anguishDuring the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88, tens of thousands of soldiers went missing on both sides. In Iran alone, the families of some 11,000 people continue to wait for news. Close-up on three Iranian women who have lived through the pain of uncertainty. (Focus\Women and war) Feature Includes Photo 29-2-2008 Nepal: the long, lonely wait of SunamatiOne night, armed men came to Sunamati's house in mid-western Nepal and left with her husband. Since then, six years have passed without news of him. The mother of three ekes out a living and hopes, one day, for news. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Nepal) Feature Includes Photo 29-2-2008 Argentina: “some atrocities are too awful to contemplate”Bárbara Noailles is a doctor. She was just seven years old when her father, a mechanic, was abducted from his workshop in Buenos Aires in October 1976 and “disappeared”. (Focus\Women and war) Feature 29-2-2008 Peru: "my hope and my reason for existing"In the 1980s and 1990s, Peru experienced an internal armed conflict between the army and police on one hand and insurgent groups on the other. It is now estimated that some 13,000 people went missing during those years. Juana Huaytalla Méndez, who has attended psychosocial support groups run by the Child and Family Network with ICRC backing, tells her story. (Focus\Women and war) Feature Includes Photo 29-2-2008 Dzidza's story: years of torment waiting to learn the fate of her entire familyMore than 12 years after the war in Bosnia ended, some 16,000 people* are still unaccounted for, leaving their surviving relatives in a state of permanent anguish. Journalist Nick Danziger describes the pain of Dzidza, whose family disappeared in the 1995 Srebrenica massacres. (Focus\Women and war) Feature Includes Photo 29-2-2008 Olja's story: a missing husband, an interrupted life and no way outA decade of armed conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s caused thousands of people to disappear. The following is one woman's story of the pain of a husband gone missing, of holding out hope in vain, and the support that helped her get through it all. (Focus\Women and war) Feature Includes Photo 29-8-2007 The Missing in Iraq: a harsh reality, an unsolved tragedyNot knowing the fate of family members missing as a result of armed conflict or violence is a harsh reality for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world, including Iraqis. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons and their extended families are desperate to know the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo 28-8-2007 Iraq: young boy returns from hellSeparated from his youngest son who suddenly disappeared in Iraq, a father sacrificed his professional life in Jordan and most of his belongings to get him back. The ICRC's Hicham Hassan reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature 30-8-2006 Missing in Nepal: a chance to grieve?Sanu Maya Tamang, 36, reaches over to her youngest son Dorje and smoothes his hair. 'He does not even remember his father,' she says. Dorje is 7 years old and his father, Prem Bahadur, has been missing since 2003, when he was taken from his home by a group of armed men in civilian clothing. ICRC delegate Delphine Van Solinge describes her story of angst in the face of economic hardship and lack of news. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Nepal) Feature 5-7-2005 Srebrenica – remembering the missing  Béatrice Mégevand-Roggo, the ICRC's delegate-general for Europe and the Americas, was the organization's head of delegation in Sarajevo in 1995. In this article she stresses the legal right of families to know the fate of their missing relatives and calls for renewed commitment by the international community. (Focus\Missing persons) Feature Field newsletter25-4-2008 Missing persons on the territory of former YugoslaviaThe families of more than 17,000 persons who went missing as a result of the past decade's conflicts in former Yugoslavia are still waiting for news on their missing relatives. They have the right to know the fate of their loved ones. It is the responsibility of respective authorities to address this fundamental right of the families by releasing official information on the whereabouts of people unaccounted for. Only answers can put an end to, or at least alleviate, the suffering of the families. (The ICRC worldwide\Western and Central Europe and the Balkans\Serbia) Field newsletter ICRC film16-12-2004 Where are they now?
Restoring and maintaining family links: the worldwide network of the ICRC and the Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies Uncertainty over the fate of a loved one causes untold suffering in wartime. This film captures how the ICRC Central Tracing Agency, together with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies all over the world, works to alleviate this suffering. It illustrates the different means and methods used in the essential efforts to trace family members and to restore family links. From distributing Red Cross messages and organizing family reunifications to visiting persons deprived of their freedom, the work undertaken brings welcome news and relief to thousands of people every year. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film Includes Video 31-12-2003 The Missing: end the silenceThe Missing: end the silence is a longer film (14 min.) also focusing on testimonials and is intended to heighten awareness of the issue of The Missing. It encourages action to be taken to resolve the problem and to guarantee the fundamental right of the families involved to know the fate of a missing relative. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film Includes Video 31-12-2003 The Missing: the right to knowThe Missing: the right to know is a short video (4 min. 30 sec.) which is ideal for opening meetings and discussions, providing a concise overview, through a series of testimonials, of the problem of those who remain unaccounted for. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film Includes Video ICRC Publication29-8-2007 Missing Persons - A hidden tragedyPeople have gone missing as long as men have been fighting wars. The plight of people missing in armed conflict and the suffering of their families has been a consistent concern to the ICRC. This specially commissioned report, written by an independent journalist, turns the spotlight onto the plight of missing persons and their families. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 28-8-2006 The Missing: ICRC progress reportIn 2002, the ICRC began looking at ways of better assisting people missing as a result of armed conflict or internal violence, and their relatives. Following an International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts (held in 2003), the Agenda for Humanitarian Action was adopted, which sets out clear objectives for the States and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to achieve between 2004 and 2007. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 10-4-2006 Management of dead bodies after disasters: a field manual for first respondersDignified and proper management of the dead in disasters is fundamental to help the families know the fate of their relatives and mourn their dead. This manual is intended for use by those first on the scene following a disaster when no specialists are at hand. It provides basic guidance to manage the recovery, basic identification, storage and disposal of dead bodies following disasters, to ensure that no information is lost and that the dead are treated with respect. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 1-12-2005 Missing people, DNA Analysis and Identification of Human Remains- a guide to best practice in armed conflicts and other situations of armed violence The process of identifying human remains in the wake of a conflict may be subject to multiple constraints, security and lack of resources being the two most common and important of many. Such constraints may limit or even preclude the use of more sophisticated technologies. This document sets down guidelines for achieving best practice in the face of such constraints. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 1-4-2005 The Missing and their families: documents of referenceThis publication contains the key documents, reports, summaries and outcomes of the International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts and the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent both of which took place in 2003. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 26-3-2004 Inter-agency guiding principles on unaccompanied and separated childrenThis set of comprehensive guidelines outlines a framework and set of principles intended to ensure that the rights and needs of separated children are effectively addressed. Created through close inter-agency collaboration, the guidelines aim to promote and support preparedness, coordination and good practice based on lessons learnt. The document addresses all aspect of an emergency from preventing separations, to family tracing and reunification through to long-term solutions and encourages the pooling of complementary skills and expertise. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 19-2-2003 The Missing: end the silence posterThe Missing: end the silence poster raises awareness of the plight of missing people and their families through the use of a simple but powerful image and message. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication 18-2-2003 The Missing - brochureThe Missing brochure outlines the various situations which can lead to people becoming unaccounted for. It points to the international law standards intended to prevent such disappearances and recommends best practices to encourage action to resolve the problem. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF International Review of the Red Cross30-6-2006 The missing and transitional justice: the right to know and the fight against impunityThe authors look at the ways in which transitional justice mechanisms may support the right of families to know the fate of their relatives, and how work to resolve the missing persons issue can be reconciled with an effective fight against impunity. (Info resources\International Review\2006 - No. 862) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 28-1-2003 Special issue of the International Review of the Red CrossThis special issue examines protection work and restoration of family links, support for the families of missing persons, collection and management of personal data, and mechanisms for handling cases of missing persons. (Focus\Missing persons) International Review of the Red Cross 31-12-2002 From regimental number to genetic code: The handling of bodies of war victims in the search for identity This article retraces the recent history of war victims according to how they are identified and counted, and how their remains are treated. Today, anthropologists and doctors can examine the remains of bodies taken from gravesites and establish the circumstances of death. In future, tombs of the unknown soldier could well be replaced by monuments to unidentified civilians. (Info resources\International Review\2002 - No. 848) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview20-12-2006 Enforced disappearance: UN Convention "a major achievement" that brings new hopeThe new UN Convention against enforced disappearance was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly this week. In an interview for the website, ICRC legal adviser Cordula Droege explains the convention and talks about the difference this landmark treaty can make to the victims of enforced disappearance and their families. (Humanitarian law\Missing persons) Interview Includes Photo 1-7-2005 Srebrenica: "We were in the no man's land, helping them to cross..."Audio interview with Béatrice Mégevand-Roggo, delegate-general, Europe and the Americas (Info resources\Audio\Western and Central Europe and the Balkans) Interview Includes Audio Official Statement26-9-2007 Panel on the Convention against Enforced Disappearance6th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, statement by Mr Jacques Forster, vice-president International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, 26 September 2007 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\Commission on human rights) Official Statement 6-2-2007 Ending enforced disappearances: a matter of urgency for the sake of humanity and justiceSpeech by Mr. Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC, Official ceremony to mark the opening for signature of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, Paris - 6 February 2007 (Humanitarian law\Missing persons) Official Statement 1-11-2006 Concerning the draft International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced DisappearanceUnited Nations, General Assembly, 61st session, Third Committee, item 68 of the agenda,
Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 1 Novembre 2006 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\61st General Assembly) Official Statement 30-8-2006 Hoping against hope The ICRC calls for the adoption of an International Convention against Enforced Disappearances. Speech by Philip Spoerri, director of law, International Committee of the Red Cross. (Humanitarian law\Missing persons) Official Statement 16-3-2005 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights - Statement by the President of the ICRCIn his address to the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, the ICRC's President, Jakob Kellenberger, focused on the protection of persons deprived of liberty. (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\Commission on human rights) Official Statement 7-5-2004 The handling of human remains and information on the dead in situations relating to armed conflicts or internal violence and involving missing persons16th Meeting of the Standing Committee on Disaster Victim Identification, Lyon, France, 5-7 May 2004, contribution from the ICRC (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\Other organizations) Official Statement Includes PDF Photo Collection29-2-2008 Women and the Missing: living between hope and despair A large majority of those who disappear or are killed in armed conflict or other situations of violence are men, and thus the burden and anguish of clarifying their fate falls to the women left behind. This collection of images and text describes the ordeals women face when their male relatives go missing and what the ICRC is doing to support them. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo 14-9-2007 Peru: turning the right to know into reality Years after the end of the conflict that rocked Peru in the 1980s, many families still do not know what happened to relatives who disappeared. The ICRC is supporting efforts by a number of State and civil society bodies to end the suffering of these families and to turn their right to know into reality. (Info resources\Photos\The Americas) Photo Collection Includes Photo 23-8-2007 The Missing: the faces of those left behind This collection of images and text illustrates the worldwide human tragedy of the missing and describes the ICRC's efforts to prevent disappearances and help families of the victims learn the fate of their loved ones. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article29-4-2008 The Missing: a hidden tragedyUncertainty about the fate of their loved ones is a harsh reality for countless families of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence. Much remains to be done to address this pressing humanitarian issue and to help families cope with the trauma - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2008. (Focus\Missing persons) Press article Report6-12-2003 The missing and their families, action to resolve the problem of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence and to assist their familiesReport prepared by the International Committee of the Red Cross, 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 2 to 6 December 2003 (Focus\RC Movement\International Conference\28th Conference) Report Includes PDF 21-2-2003 ICRC Report: The Missing and their familiesConclusions arising from Events held prior to the International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts (19-21 February 2003). (Focus\Missing persons\February 2003 - Conference of experts) Report Includes PDF Video Collection18-10-2007 Nepal: The waiting continuesIn November 2001, twenty workers from Jogimara in Dhading District headed off to Kalikot to work at the airport construction site: 17 of them did not return home. There has been no official word on their fate and their families have no idea what happened to them. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section31-8-2007 Restoring family links – project bulletin No. 3Our relationships — with family and friends — play an essential role in defining our identities and provide us with a sense of security and stability. If they break down, important elements of our identity are lost and so is our primary source of support. The Restoring Family Links (RFL) Strategy for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement puts these ties back at the heart of the Movement’s activities. (ICRC Activities\Protection\Restoring family links) Includes PDF 28-7-2006 Restoring family links – project bulletin No. 2Building on the Agenda for Humanitarian Action adopted by the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2003, the ICRC has launched a global initiative to strengthen the Red Cross and Red Crescent Family Links Network over the coming decade. The purpose of the project is to build a dynamic network of tracing services that can respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of separated families. (ICRC Activities\Protection\Restoring family links) Includes PDF 30-11-2005 Restoring family links – project bulletin No. 1In December 2004, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement launched a project to develop its work on restoring family links. The aim is to meet the humanitarian needs of people separated from their families. Project Bulletin No. 1 explains the main phases of creating a strategy for the coming ten years. (ICRC Activities\Protection\Restoring family links) Includes PDF 22-8-2003 The Missing: a pledge by the ICRC28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 2 to 6 December 2003 Pledge of the ICRC to resolve the problem of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence and to assist their families (Focus\RC Movement\International Conference\28th Conference) Includes Photo 13-3-2003 "The Missing": Documentation of reference databaseThis database is portail on public documentation regarding the issue of persons unaccounted for, due to armed conflict or internal violence, and of their families. It should raise awareness about this tragic human problem and support the activities of all actors involved in preventing persons from becoming unaccounted for, in clarifying the fate of those who have become missing and in supporting their families. (Focus\Missing persons) Other site8-2-2007 International Federation of Family Associations of Missing Persons from Armed ConflictsIFFAMPAC is an international humanitarian non-governmental organization working with family associations of missing persons from armed conflicts worldwide. IFFAMPAC focuses on the surviving families of armed conflict who face tremendous social, economic, legal, and cultural challenges when a primary economic provider of the family vanishes and cannot be accounted for as a result of conflict. (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations) Other site 23-2-2005 International Tracing Service in ArolsenThe International Tracing Service at Bad Arolsen (ITS) serves victims of Nazi persecutions and their families by documenting their fate through the archives it manages. The ITS preserves these historic records and makes them available for research. (Info resources\Other sites\Red Cross and Red Crescent) Other site  |
