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The Missing Persons Project and the Conference

The Missing Persons Project and the Conference. The ICRC Process. An Internal Objective: To establish operational guide-lines on the missing issues: by reviewing all working methods at the political and field level. The ICRC Process. Several External Objectives:

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The Missing Persons Project and the Conference

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  1. The Missing Persons Project and the Conference

  2. The ICRC Process An Internal Objective: • To establish operational guide-lines on the missing issues: • by reviewing all working methods at the political and field level

  3. The ICRC Process Several External Objectives: • To review all methods to prevent disappearances in conflict and respond to the needs of families that have lost contact with their loved ones

  4. The ICRC Process Several External Objectives: • To agree upon common recommendations and operational practices • To raise this concern to a higher level on the agendas of government authorities, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations.

  5. Process Organization • First Stage (02-09.2002) • 3 external studies • 2 electronic workshops • 6 workshops • Second Stage • Conference of governmental and non governmental experts 19-21 February 2003

  6. Topics addressed at the Conference • The Missing: Persons whose families are without news of them, and/or Who are reported missing on the basis of reliable information Owing to armed conflict or internal violence

  7. Topics addressed at the Conference • Families needs : • be considered as victims • the right to know • accountability and acknowledgment to be recognized

  8. Families specific needs • Particular attention must be paid to single heads of families and children whose parents are both missing • Assistance shall aim at self-sufficiency • Psychological support shall be provided • Independent family network and associations should be encouraged

  9. Responsibilities • of States for prevention and for clarification of the fate of persons unaccounted for • of Armed groups based on treaty and customary law • of IO and NGOs to promote awareness, give support and act as facilitators

  10. Prevention • Ratifying and adhering to treaties • Implementing the treaties’ provisions into domestic law • Teaching the rules contained in these treaties • Enforcing and respecting the treaties’ provisions

  11. Information management • Compilation of comprehensive files on an impartial basis • Coordination between actors (working methods and processing procedure) • Centralization of information • Legal rules governing the protection of personal data must be respected • Information should be shared without endangering victims or the sources of the information

  12. Information on the dead • Information on the dead = reduction of the number of missing • Despoliation & desecration of the dead are crimes under international law • Authorities bear the primary responsibility

  13. Outcome of the Conference • Observations and Recommendationsadopted by consensus: Binding / non binding • Implementation of best operational practices within and among actors involved in the field • Participants pledged to raise the issue of Missing persons in other fora

  14. Outcome of the Conference • The most outstanding feature debate has been the diversity of its participants • The reality of the suffering of families has been recognized • The law as a means to help alleviate suffering has been presented as a tool • Historical step for the search of solutions

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