The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will hold its 128th session during September 19-28 to review 696 cases from 21 countries.
The group of five independent experts will also review allegations received concerning acts tantamount to enforced disappearances perpetrated by non-state actors and document these cases.
The experts will hold meetings with relatives of forcibly disappeared people, state representatives, civil society groups and other stakeholders to exchange information on individual cases and on structural issues and challenges related to enforced disappearances.
The group will also hold its annual joint meeting with the Committee on Enforced Disappearances on 21 September 21.
During the session, the experts will examine allegations received regarding obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, such as regressive legislation and practices, or systemic failures in addressing cases of enforced disappearance, especially in the areas of truth and justice.
The group will also discuss internal matters and future activities, such as the envisaged country visits, as well as its next reports to the Human Rights Council, including its upcoming study on new technologies and enforced disappearances.
The session of the group will coincide with the presentation of its annual report to the 51st session of the Human Rights Council on September 20.
The decisions made by the UN Working Group during the 128th session will be reflected in its next post-sessional report.
The sessions of the group are held in private.
