Original HRC document

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Document Type: Final Report

Date: 2018 Jul

Session: 39th Regular Session (2018 Sep)

Agenda Item: Item3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

GE.18-12552(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-ninth session

10–28 September 2018 Agenda item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,

political, economic, social and cultural rights,

including the right to development

Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances

Note by the Secretariat

The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council, the report

of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, prepared pursuant to

Council resolution 7/12. The Working Group was established by resolution 20 (XXXVI) of

the Commission on Human Rights and its mandate was most recently extended by the

Council in its resolution 36/6.

The mandate of the Working Group is to assist families of disappeared persons to

ascertain the fate and whereabouts of their disappeared relatives; and to assist and monitor

States’ compliance with their obligations deriving from the Declaration on the Protection of

All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to provide States with assistance in the

prevention and eradication of enforced disappearances.

Since its inception in 1980, the Working Group has transmitted a total of 57,149

cases to 108 States. The number of cases under active consideration stands at 45,499 in a

total of 92 States. During the reporting period, 404 cases were clarified.

In its report, the Working Group provides information on the activities carried out

and the communications and cases examined from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018. The report

includes a section on the preliminary observations on the issue of standards and public

policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances.

United Nations A/HRC/39/46

Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances*

Contents

Page

I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3

II. Activities of the Working Group from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018 ............................................ 3

A. Activities ............................................................................................................................... 3

B. Meetings ............................................................................................................................... 4

C. Communications ................................................................................................................... 4

D. Country visits ........................................................................................................................ 5

E. Follow-up reports and other procedures ............................................................................... 5

F. Press releases and statements ................................................................................................ 5

G. Interim report on standards and public policies for an

effective investigation of enforced disappearances............................................................... 7

III. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications

transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period ................................................... 12

IV. Observations .................................................................................................................................. 18

V. Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 25

Annexes

I. Country visit requests and invitations extended ............................................................................ 27

II. Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to

the Working Group between 1980 and 2018, and general allegations transmitted ....................... 29

III. Graphs showing the number of cases of enforced disappearances by country and by year

according to the cases transmitted by the Working Group during the period between 1980

and 2 May 2018 (only for countries with more than 100 cases transmitted) ................................. 35

* The annexes to the present report are circulated without formal editing in the language of submission only.

I. Introduction

1. The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances was the first United

Nations human rights thematic mechanism to be established with a universal mandate, by

the Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI). The mandate was most recently

extended by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 36/6.

2. The primary task of the Working Group is to assist families in determining the fate

or whereabouts of their family members who are reportedly disappeared. In that

humanitarian capacity, the Working Group serves as a channel of communication between

family members of victims of enforced disappearance and other sources reporting cases of

disappearances, and the Governments concerned.

3. Following the adoption of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from

Enforced Disappearance (General Assembly resolution 47/133), the Working Group was

entrusted with monitoring the progress of States in fulfilling their obligations derived from

the Declaration. The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 7/12, encouraged the Working

Group to provide assistance in the implementation by States of the Declaration and of

existing international rules.

4. The present report contains information on the activities of and communications and

cases examined by the Working Group from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018. A summary of

the decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications

transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period is presented in section III.

5. Since its inception, the Working Group has transmitted a total of 57,149 cases to 108

States. The number of cases under active consideration that have not yet been clarified,

closed or discontinued stands at 45,499 in a total of 92 States. During the reporting period,

404 cases were clarified.

II. Activities of the Working Group from 18 May 2017 to 2 May 2018

A. Activities

6. During the period under review, the Working Group held three sessions: the 113th

session, from 11 to 15 September 2017 (A/HRC/WGEID/113/1); the 114th session from 5

to 9 February 2018 (A/HRC/WGEID/114/1); and the 115th session from 23 April to 2 May

2018 (A/HRC/WGEID/115/1). The reports on the sessions should be considered

complements to the present report. The 114th session was held in Brussels and the other

sessions were held in Geneva.

7. During the 113th session, Bernard Duhaime was appointed Chair-Rapporteur of the

Working Group and Tae-Ung Baik as Vice-Chair.

8. On 11 September 2017, former Chair-Rapporteur Houria Es Slami presented the

annual report for the period from 19 May 2016 to 17 May 2017, and its addenda, to the

Human Rights Council at its thirtieth-sixth session, and participated in the interactive

dialogue with States.

9. Between 27 and 30 June 2017, the former Chair-Rapporteur represented the

Working Group during the 24th annual meeting of the special procedure mandate holders of

the Human Rights Council.

10. On 20 October 2017, the Chair-Rapporteur addressed the General Assembly at its

seventy-second session and participated in the interactive dialogue with Member States.

11. The Working Group continues its practice of holding one of its sessions every year

outside Geneva. The Working Group held its 114th session in Brussels from 5 to 9

February 2018. The Working Group is grateful to the Government of Belgium for this

opportunity.

12. On 5 February 2018, the Working Group held a public event on enforced

disappearances in the twenty-first century at the margins of its 114th session in Brussels.1

13. During the reporting period, all the members of the Working Group carried out a

number of activities connected to enforced disappearances, which included their

participation in conferences, consultations, seminars, training events, workshops and

lectures, organized by Governments and/or civil society organizations.

14. The Working Group is thankful for the continuous support, including through

voluntary contributions, provided by donor States, notably, France, Japan and the Republic

of Korea.

B. Meetings

15. During the period under review, representatives of the Governments of Argentina

(113th), Angola (113th), Bahrain (113th); Egypt (113th and 115th), Japan (113th, 114th

and 115th), Mexico (114th), Morocco (113th, 114th and 115th), Pakistan (115th), Portugal

(113th, 114th and 115th), Sudan (115th), Thailand (115th), Turkmenistan (113th and 115th)

and Viet Nam (114th) attended the sessions of the Working Group. A number of informal

meetings were also held with representatives from various States. The Working Group

expresses its appreciation to those Governments for the meetings and emphasizes the

importance of cooperation and dialogue.

C. Communications

16. During the reporting period, the Working Group transmitted 802 new cases of

enforced disappearance to 40 States.

17. The Working Group transmitted 264 of the above-mentioned cases under the urgent

action procedure to 21 States.

18. The Working Group clarified 404 cases in 17 States. Of the 404 cases, 337 were

clarified on the basis of information provided by Governments and 67 on the basis of

information provided by sources.

19. The Working Group transmitted 9 prompt intervention communications addressing

allegations of harassment of and/or threats to human rights defenders and relatives of

disappeared persons in: Egypt (4), Guatemala (1), India (1), Iran (Islamic Republic of) (2)

and Pakistan (1).

20. The Working Group transmitted 14 urgent appeals concerning persons who had been

arrested, detained, abducted or otherwise deprived of their liberty or who had been forcibly

disappeared or were at risk of disappearance in: Afghanistan (1), Azerbaijan (1), Bahrain

(1), Burundi (1), China (1), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1), Egypt (2), Iraq (1),

Lebanon (1), Libya (1), Mexico (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and Sudan (1).

21. The Working Group transmitted 10 general allegations — related to obstacles in the

implementation of the Declaration — to the Governments of: Algeria (1), Burundi (1),

China (1), Colombia (1), Egypt (1), Mexico (1), Pakistan (1), Russian Federation (1),

Thailand (1) and Uruguay (1).

22. It also transmitted 10 other letters addressing issues related to enforced

disappearances to the Governments of: Argentina (1), Chad (1), Egypt (1), Guatemala (1),

Kenya (1), Mexico (2), Nepal (1), Peru (1) and Uganda (1).

1 See www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Disappearances/EnforcedDisappearance21stCentury.pdf.

D. Country visits

23. The Working Group visited the Gambia from 12 to 19 June 2017 (see

A/HRC/39/46/Add.1). The Working Group thanks the Government of the Gambia for the

invitation and for the cooperation extended to it before, during and after its visit. It

encourages the Government of the Gambia to fully implement the recommendations

contained in the country visit report.

24. The Working Group also thanks the Governments of Ukraine and Mali, which have

extended an invitation to the Working Group to visit their countries during the reporting

period. The visit to Ukraine took place from 11 to 20 June 2018 and the visit to Mali is

scheduled to take place in the last quarter of 2018.

25. During the reporting period, the Working Group requested visits to Lebanon, Mali

and Yemen.

26. In addition to these new requests, the Working Group reiterated its requests, to

which it has still not received a positive response, to visit: Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus,

Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation,

Rwanda, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab

Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. The Working Group invites all States that have

received a request for a visit by the Working Group to respond favourably to it, in

accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 21/4.2

27. The visit to the Sudan scheduled for November 2017 was postponed due to a lack of

understanding about the terms of reference for the visit (see para. 130 below).

28. The Working Group once again recalls that the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to a

visit by the Working Group in 2004, more than a decade ago, which was delayed at the

request of the Government. Similarly, the Working Group reiterates its regret that it has yet

to visit Algeria, in spite of an invitation extended in 2014.

29. In February 2016, the Government of South Sudan invited the Working Group to

visit. However, it did not respond to a subsequent letter from the Working Group sent in

April 2016, proposing two dates for a visit to the country in the last quarter of 2017. The

visit to Libya, postponed in May 2013 for security reasons, is still pending.

E. Follow-up reports and other procedures

30. The Working Group has prepared follow-up reports on the implementation of

recommendations made following its visits to Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as

Kosovo. 3 The follow-up reports are contained in an addendum to the present report

(A/HRC/39/46/Add.2). The Working Group encourages all concerned actors to implement

the outstanding recommendations.

F. Press releases and statements

31. On 16 June 2017, the Working Group issued a press release requesting the Supreme

Court of Argentina to reconsider a judgment to reduce sentences, including in cases of

crimes against humanity.4

32. On 19 June 2017, the Working Group issued a press release on its preliminary

observations on its visit to the Gambia.5

2 Please see annex I for country visit requests and invitations extended.

3 All references to Kosovo in the present document should be understood to be in compliance with

Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

4 See www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21758&LangID=S.

5 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21771&LangID=E.

33. On 19 July 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

mandate holders, urging the Mexican Government to carry out a transparent, independent

and impartial investigation into allegations of monitoring and illegal surveillance against

human rights defenders, social activists and journalists.6

34. On 29 August 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with the

Committee on Enforced Disappearances, on the occasion of the International Day of the

Victims of Enforced Disappearances calling on States worldwide to ratify the International

Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.7

35. On 11 September 2017, on the occasion of the presentation by the Chair-Rapporteur

of the Working Group’s annual report to the Human Rights Council, the Working Group

issued a press release warning States that migrants were facing heightened risks of

becoming victims of enforced disappearance and that the international community should

do much more in that respect.8

36. On 15 September 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

mandate holders, expressing dismay at the arrest in Egypt of lawyer Ibrahim Metwally en

route to meet them in Geneva.9

37. On 18 September 2017, at the conclusion of its 113th session, the Working Group

issued a press release.10

38. On 20 October 2017, on the occasion of a presentation by the Chair-Rapporteur of

the Working Group to the General Assembly, the Working Group issued a press release

calling on States to put an end to the scourge of enforced disappearance, which should not

exist in the twenty-first century.11

39. On 23 November 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

mandate holders, condemning the jailing of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong.12

40. On 1 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with several

other mandate holders, urging States to ensure a human rights-centered approach when

developing the global compact for migration, as they were entering the stocktaking and

negotiating phase.13

41. On 5 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

mandate holders and expert bodies, welcoming the conviction of 48 people in Argentina,

including military personnel and civilians, for torture, murder and enforced disappearances

during the country’s previous military dictatorship.14

42. On 14 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with

several other mandate holders, calling on Mexico to reject a draft law on internal security

and warning that giving the armed forces a leading role in security matters could weaken

the protection of human rights.15

43. On 28 December 2017, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

mandate holders, regretting the granting of the pardon to former President Fujimori in

Peru.16

44. On 16 January 2018, the Working Group issued a press release welcoming the entry

into force of the law on disappearance in Mexico.17

6 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21892&LangID=E.

7 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22005&LangID=E.

8 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22047&LangID=E.

9 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22079&LangID=E.

10 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22122&LangID=E.

11 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22270&LangID=E.

12 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22437&LangID=E.

13 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22477&LangID=E.

14 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22490&LangID=E.

15 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22535&LangID=E.

16 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22568&LangID=E.

45. On 26 January 2018, the Working Group issued a press release calling on Egypt to

halt all pending executions following repeated allegations of death sentences handed out on

the basis of evidence obtained through torture or ill-treatment, often during a period of

enforced disappearance.18

46. On 9 February 2018, at the conclusion of its 114th session, the Working Group

issued a press release.19

47. On 23 March 2018, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

mandate holders, expressing concern about the health of human rights lawyer Jiang

Tianyong jailed in China.20

48. On 30 April 2018, the Working Group issued a press release, jointly with other

special procedure mechanisms, expressing concern at the trial of four men in Bahrain that

reportedly breached fair trial and due process guarantees, including confessions obtained

under torture.21

G. Interim report on standards and public policies for an effective

investigation of enforced disappearances

1. Introduction

49. Enforced disappearances differ from other crimes against a person’s liberty because

of the participation of the State (directly or with its support or acquiescence) and the denial

of such a deprivation of liberty or concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the victim.

This generates impunity and harms the relatives of the disappeared, who are also

considered victims of the crime, in a particular way.22

50. Faced with this reality, and its recurrence (even systematically and in a generalized

way), in different parts of the world, international human rights law has been slowly

building a legal framework to protect against enforced disappearances. One of the first

developments in this direction was the obligation of States to investigate disappearances

effectively, exhaustively and impartially, as established by international human rights

instruments.

51. This obligation has been developed through the jurisprudence of both international

bodies and national courts, as well as the practice of different States. Currently, the

obligation to investigate also has a strong normative basis in the Declaration on the

Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance23 and the International Convention

for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.24

52. However, the question of how to implement this obligation (i.e. based on which

standards or through which public policies or institutions) deserves to be studied carefully

and comparatively, in order to recognize good practices and be able to detect negative

experiences.

53. As has been described in the updated set of principles to combat impunity, an

effective policy to combat impunity requires a multifaceted strategy, with each component

playing a necessary but only partial role (see E/CN.4/2004/88, para. 10).

17 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22588&LangID=E.

18 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22613&LangID=E.

19 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22653&LangID=E.

20 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22890&LangID=E.

21 See www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23010&LangID=E.

22 See art. 24 (1) of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced

Disappearance.

23 See art. 13, which establishes the right “to complain to a competent and independent State authority

and to have that complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated by that authority” for

any person having knowledge or a legitimate interest who alleges that a person has been subjected to

enforced disappearance.

24 See art. 12.

54. With this in mind, the Working Group decided to address the issue of standards and

public policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances. In the present

report, the Working Group outlines the main elements around this issue, with the aim of

studying them further over the course of the next reporting cycle. The Working Group will

hold an expert consultation and is open to receive inputs on the issue from States, families

of the disappeared, civil society, United Nations mechanisms or agencies and other

interested stakeholders.

2. Existing standards

55. The study will compile, in accordance with international human rights law, in

particular the Declaration and the Convention, which rights and State obligations arise from

the duty to investigate. Many of these rights and obligations stem from the three

international human rights instruments on enforced disappearances,25 while others derive

from provisions contained in other human rights treaties, 26 customary law, soft law or

national or international court decisions.

56. The obligation to investigate with due diligence was originally included in the first

judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Velásquez Rodríguez case27

and later developed in multiple court judgments. The first set of Court judgments dealt with

the complete lack of national investigations in many Latin American countries, which had

faced dictatorships from the 1960s to the 1980s. Habeas corpus proceedings were usually

futile, judiciaries commonly lacked impartiality and the systems for criminal investigation

and prosecution were not prepared to deal with crimes committed or sponsored by States.

57. This is why international human rights mechanisms, triggered by the litigation

initiated by the families of the disappeared, had to decide on cases of enforced

disappearances that had begun a long time before. Many local cases were closed as a result

of statutes of limitations; many others were dropped with the justification that, in the

absence of a body, there was no criminal responsibility; but most of the investigations were

halted in the context of amnesty laws or were ineffectively carried out by military

jurisdictions. In addition to total impunity, searches were not carried out for the victims, as

they were only conceived as being necessary as part of a criminal investigation. Such

circumstances also occurred in other regions in which enforced disappearances were and

are still being committed, as the Working Group has been documenting since 1980.

58. The reaction from international human rights bodies was the development of

jurisprudence based on existing human rights treaties and specific instruments focusing on

enforced disappearances, notably the Declaration, the Convention and the Inter-American

Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons, in which many of the standards related to

the duty to investigate were developed and later enriched by the human rights mechanisms

mandated to monitor and enforce them.

59. Article 18 of the Declaration prohibits amnesties or similar measures that might

benefit persons who have or are alleged to have committed enforced disappearances.28 The

same article limits the right to pardon, taking into consideration the extreme seriousness of

acts of enforced disappearance.29

25 The Declaration, the Convention and the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of

Persons.

26 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention for the Protection of Human

Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights), the American

Convention on Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

27 Inter-American Court of Human Rights, “Velásquez Rodríguez v. Honduras”, judgment of 29 July

1988, para. 177.

28 Nine years later, on 14 March 2001, in the case Barrios Altos v. Peru, the Inter-American Court of

Human Rights established that amnesties in cases of grave violations of human rights, such as

enforced disappearances, were against the American Convention on Human Rights.

29 See also the Working Group’s general comment on article 17 of the Declaration (see E/CN.4/2001/68,

paras. 25–32).

60. Article 17 of the Declaration also establishes that, when the remedies provided for in

article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are no longer effective,

statutes of limitations related to acts of enforced disappearances should be suspended until

these remedies are re-established. In addition, it provides that where they exist, statutes of

limitations relating to acts of enforced disappearance should be commensurate with the

extreme seriousness of the offence. When the crime is committed in the context of a

widespread or systematic practice, as in a crime against humanity, there should be no kind

of statute of limitations.30

61. Furthermore, it is clear that investigations related to enforced disappearance should

be carried out until the fate of the disappeared is clarified31 and that this should be done

within a reasonable time frame.

62. Articles 13 of the Declaration and 12 of the Convention contain an important set of

principles to guide States in the investigation of enforced disappearances, beginning with

the right to complain to a competent and independent State authority, and to have the

complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated. Among those principles, the

following could be highlighted: (a) investigative authorities should have access to any place

of detention, official or not;32 (b) the investigation should be undertaken without delay,

even ex officio, without formal complaint;33 (c) those suspected of having been involved in

the disappearance should not have the possibility of influencing the investigation through

pressure, acts of intimidation or reprisals;34 (d) State agencies the members of which could

be involved in the disappearance should not participate in the investigations (see

A/HRC/33/51/Add.2, para. 82 (a), and CED/C/MEX/CO/1, para. 28 (d)); (e) authorities

should have the necessary powers and resources to conduct investigations, including

powers to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of the relevant documents,

including military, police and intelligence files.35

63. The study will also analyse the obligation of States on mutual cooperation in

criminal proceedings, taking into consideration that, in the experience of the Working

Group, enforced disappearance often manifests itself as a transnational crime, as described

in the latest thematic report on enforced disappearances in the context of migration (see

A/HRC/36/39/Add.2, para. 83).

64. The independence of the prosecution and the impartiality of the judgments also

appear as guarantees that support the whole scheme of rights and State obligations to

develop the duty to investigate. In this sense, the Declaration establishes that those accused

of having committed an enforced disappearance should be tried by the competent ordinary

courts and not by other special tribunals, in particular military courts.36

65. Finally, relatives of the disappeared have proven to be essential in the context of

investigations and should have the right to know the truth, be granted full access to the

investigation and participate in the proceedings.

30 See art. 5 of the Convention. The Working Group has always considered that, due to the continuous

nature of the crime, it must be interpreted that the statutes of limitations, if applicable, should

commence from the moment when the enforced disappearance ceases.

31 See art. 13 (6) of the Declaration.

32 See also art. 9 of the Declaration.

33 See art. 13 (1) of the Declaration and art. 12 (2) of the Convention.

34 See art. 12 (4) of the Convention.

35 See art. 13 (2) of the Declaration and principle 16 of the updated set of principles for the protection

and promotion of human rights through action to combat impunity (E/CN.4/2005/102/Add.1).

36 See art. 16 (2) of the Declaration. See also the statement on enforced disappearance and military

jurisdiction by the Committee on Enforced Disappearances

(https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CED/Shared%20Documents/1_Global/INT_CED_SUS_7639_E.

pdf, para. 3) and art. IX of the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons.

3. Public policies to develop towards an effective investigation

66. The thematic study will also focus on the public policies to implement the obligation

to investigate based on the accumulated experience of the Working Group during its 38

years of existence.

67. The State obligation to include enforced disappearances as an autonomous crime

(see A/HRC/13/31, para. 649), as provided for in article 3 of the Declaration, appears

essential for an effective investigation, as it allows the investigative authorities to

understand the specific nature of the crime and the different investigative skills required,

which are different from other crimes usually associated with enforced disappearances,

such as kidnapping, torture, extrajudicial execution and arbitrary detention.

68. Criminalization of enforced disappearances is also directly linked with the need to

design special investigative and prosecutorial units, as have been developed recently in

many States. The creation of these units allows cases to be investigated jointly and with a

context perspective, rather than investigating them separately. Special units are usually

staffed by professionals from different disciplines, such as anthropology, forensic science,

psychology and information and communication technology, rather than only lawyers. This

holistic approach to investigation allows a better strategy for the prioritization of cases and

better use of new investigative techniques, including assessment of scientific evidence.

69. Another element that will be addressed in the study relates to one of the main

obstacles to an effective investigation of cases of enforced disappearances, notably the

recurrent threats against the complainant, relatives, witnesses, lawyers, human rights

defenders, journalists and often also the authorities in charge of the investigation. An

effective policy to investigate enforced disappearances is possible only when adequate State

resources are available to protect any person involved in the investigation.

70. Security for those involved in the investigations is also essential in order to create an

environment in which it is possible for family members and civil society to document cases,

which often produces effective results, even if this should not replace the obligations of the

State.

71. It is also of the utmost importance that the authorities in charge of the investigation

be allowed to access all the archives in which the relevant information could be found. This

should be accompanied by appropriate policies for the preservation and disclosure of

archives.

72. The lack of professional and independent forensic institutions has also been an

obstacle in many cases. That is why there is a need to guarantee the development of local

forensic teams that can deal with the challenges that this complex crime entail.

73. Coordination between State agencies is another essential element for effective

investigations, better administration of limited resources, clear accountability and the

necessary exchange of information among those involved in the investigation.

74. In the study, the working Group will also deal with how enforced disappearances

have been investigated in the context of transitional justice and analyse the development of

the different schemes in terms of full reparation to victims in the light of the experience of

the Working Group.

75. Lastly, the Working Group will study how investigations should be carried out when

the victims are exposed to situations of vulnerability, such as is often the case with children,

women, migrants, human rights defenders, indigenous people and social leaders, among

others.

4. Effective investigation and full reparation

76. As mentioned above, an effective investigation is indispensable in guaranteeing the

right of victims to know the truth. As defined by the Working Group in its general comment

on the right to truth in relation to enforced disappearance, the right to the truth means the

right to know about the progress and results of an investigation, the fate or whereabouts of

the disappeared persons, and the circumstances of the disappearances, and the identity of

the perpetrator(s) (see A/HRC/16/48, p. 14, para. 1).

77. In the report, the Working Group will also focus on this relationship. For example,

how truth commissions, commissions of inquiry or teams of international independent

experts can provide useful elements in criminal investigations.

78. An effective investigation is also a vehicle for the accomplishment of all the pillars

of full reparation, including not only justice, but also the guarantees of non-recurrence.

5. The search for the disappeared

79. In the thematic report, the Working Group will not deal with the search for the

disappeared, i.e. the mechanisms and policies created at the institutional level to search for

those who are missing, as this is an issue with its own specific standards and experiences,

which would deserve a specific and separate study. However, there is an obvious

interaction between the criminal investigation of enforced disappearances and the search for

the disappeared, and therefore the Working Group will inevitably explore some elements of

this relationship. In this regard, it should be also noted that the Committee on Enforced

Disappearances has begun the process of developing guidelines on the search for the

disappeared.

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III. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group and communications transmitted to the States concerned during the reporting period37

Countries

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

beginning of

the period

under review

Cases transmitted

to the Government

during the

reporting period

Cases clarified during

the period under

review by:

Number of

cases of

possible

clarification

by

Government

(six-month

rule)

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

end of the

period

under

review

Communications sent during

the period under review

Communications received during

the period under review

Prompt

intervention

letter

Urgent

appeal

General

allegation

Other

letter

Response to

prompt

intervention

letter

Response

to urgent

appeal

Response

to general

allegation

Response

to other

letter

Urgent

actions

Standard

cases Government Sources

Afghanistan 3 3 1

Albania 1 1

Algeria 3 179 49 3 228 1 1

Angola 2 1 2

Argentina 3 241 157 19 3 084 1 1

Azerbaijan 0 1 1 1 1

Bahrain 4 1 1 2 2 1 1

Bangladesh 49 3 5 57

Belarus 3 3

Bhutan 0 1 1 1

Bolivia

(Plurinational

State of) 28 28

Brazil 13 13

Burundi 58 2 6 66 1 1

Cambodia 1 1

37 Urgent actions are cases of enforced disappearances that have occurred within three months prior to the receipt of a report by the Working Group; or cases of enforced

disappearances that have occurred prior to the three-month limit, but within one year prior to the receipt of a report by the Working Group, provided that there is a

link with a case that occurred within the three-month period. Standard cases are cases of enforced disappearances that have occurred prior to the three-month limit.

Prompt intervention letters concern cases of intimidation, persecution or reprisal against families of disappeared persons, witnesses, lawyers, human rights defenders

and other individuals concerned with disappearances. Urgent appeals concern allegations of enforced disappearances; or allegations regarding persons deprived of

liberty who are at risk of being disappeared. General allegations concern alleged obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration.

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3

Countries

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

beginning of

the period

under review

Cases transmitted

to the Government

during the

reporting period

Cases clarified during

the period under

review by:

Number of

cases of

possible

clarification

by

Government

(six-month

rule)

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

end of the

period

under

review

Communications sent during

the period under review

Communications received during

the period under review

Prompt

intervention

letter

Urgent

appeal

General

allegation

Other

letter

Response to

prompt

intervention

letter

Response

to urgent

appeal

Response

to general

allegation

Response

to other

letter

Urgent

actions

Standard

cases Government Sources

Cameroon 14 14

Central African

Republic 3 3

Chad 23 23 1

Chile 785 785

China 43 2 3 3 45 1 1

Colombia 973 973 1

Congo 89 89

Democratic

People’s

Republic of

Korea 167 1 65 233

Democratic

Republic of

Congo 48 1 1 48 1

Dominican

Republic 2 2

Ecuador 5 5

Egypt38 258 173 14 54 27 104 363 4 2 1 1 2 1

El Salvador 2 282 2 282 1

Equatorial

Guinea 8 8

Eritrea 62 62

Ethiopia 113 113

France 1 1

38 The Working Group determined during its 114th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.

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Countries

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

beginning of

the period

under review

Cases transmitted

to the Government

during the

reporting period

Cases clarified during

the period under

review by:

Number of

cases of

possible

clarification

by

Government

(six-month

rule)

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

end of the

period

under

review

Communications sent during

the period under review

Communications received during

the period under review

Prompt

intervention

letter

Urgent

appeal

General

allegation

Other

letter

Response to

prompt

intervention

letter

Response

to urgent

appeal

Response

to general

allegation

Response

to other

letter

Urgent

actions

Standard

cases Government Sources

Gambia 4 9 13

Greece 1 1

Guatemala 2 897 2 897 1 1

Guinea 37 37

Guyana 1 1

Haiti 38 38

Honduras 130 130

India 368 28 396 1

Indonesia 163 1 164

Iran (Islamic

Republic of ) 528 4 4 1 4 535 2 1 1

Iraq 16 416 1 2 16 419 1

Israel 2 1 3

Jordan 3 1 1 3

Kenya 77 77 1

Kuwait 1 1

Lao People’s

Democratic

Republic 2 2

Lebanon 313 1 314 1 1

Libya39 33 5 13 50 1

Malaysia 1 1 2

Maldives 1 1

Mauritania 4 1 1 1 5

39 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.

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5

Countries

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

beginning of

the period

under review

Cases transmitted

to the Government

during the

reporting period

Cases clarified during

the period under

review by:

Number of

cases of

possible

clarification

by

Government

(six-month

rule)

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

end of the

period

under

review

Communications sent during

the period under review

Communications received during

the period under review

Prompt

intervention

letter

Urgent

appeal

General

allegation

Other

letter

Response to

prompt

intervention

letter

Response

to urgent

appeal

Response

to general

allegation

Response

to other

letter

Urgent

actions

Standard

cases Government Sources

Mexico 377 2 6 371 1 1 2 1 3 2

Morocco40 140 24 15 160

Mozambique 3 3

Myanmar 2 2

Namibia 2 2

Nepal 470 10 480 1

Nicaragua 103 103

Nigeria 0 1 1

Oman41 1 0

Pakistan 723 50 115 110 22 156 747 1 1

Peru 2 365 1 2 364 1 1

Philippines 625 625

Republic of

Korea 3 3

Russian

Federation 808 1 809 1

Rwanda 23 23

Saudi Arabia42 5 6 2 1 2 12 1

Seychelles 3 3

Somalia 1 1

South Africa 1 1 2

South Sudan 2 1 3

40 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that four cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.

41 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to transfer the case from Oman to Yemen.

42 The Working Group decided at its 115th session to reopen two cases based on new information provided by sources.

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Countries

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

beginning of

the period

under review

Cases transmitted

to the Government

during the

reporting period

Cases clarified during

the period under

review by:

Number of

cases of

possible

clarification

by

Government

(six-month

rule)

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

end of the

period

under

review

Communications sent during

the period under review

Communications received during

the period under review

Prompt

intervention

letter

Urgent

appeal

General

allegation

Other

letter

Response to

prompt

intervention

letter

Response

to urgent

appeal

Response

to general

allegation

Response

to other

letter

Urgent

actions

Standard

cases Government Sources

Spain 7 1 6

Sri Lanka 5 859 99 5 958

Sudan 174 2 2 1 1 176 1

Syrian Arab

Republic 218 2 68 1 287

Tajikistan 3 1

Thailand 82 4 86 1

Timor-Leste 428 428

Togo 10 10

Tunisia 12 12

Turkey 95 4 6 1 92 1

Turkmenistan 4 2 1 5

Uganda 15 15 1 1

Ukraine 5 1 6

United Arab

Emirates43 5 2 1 5

United States of

America 4 1 5

Uruguay 20 20 1 1

Uzbekistan 7 7

Venezuela

(Bolivarian

Republic of) 16 1 15

Viet Nam 1 1 0

43 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to discontinue the consideration of three outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.

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7

Countries

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

beginning of

the period

under review

Cases transmitted

to the Government

during the

reporting period

Cases clarified during

the period under

review by:

Number of

cases of

possible

clarification

by

Government

(six-month

rule)

Number of

outstanding

cases at the

end of the

period

under

review

Communications sent during

the period under review

Communications received during

the period under review

Prompt

intervention

letter

Urgent

appeal

General

allegation

Other

letter

Response to

prompt

intervention

letter

Response

to urgent

appeal

Response

to general

allegation

Response

to other

letter

Urgent

actions

Standard

cases Government Sources

Yemen44 12 1 14

Zimbabwe 5 5

State of

Palestine 4 4

44 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to transfer a case from Oman to Yemen.

IV. Observations

80. In addition to the observations formulated in its post-session documents (see para. 7

above), the Working Group makes the following country-specific observations based on the

cooperation received and on significant developments regarding its mandate during the

reporting period.

Algeria

81. The Working Group reiterates its disappointment (see A/HRC/30/38, para 58,

A/HRC/33/51 para. 82, and A/HRC/36/39, para 64) that, in spite of an official

communication received in February 2014 in which the Government invited the Working

Group to visit Algeria during the second semester of 2014, it has not accepted the different

dates offered by the Working Group. The Working Group continues to hope that it can soon

be allowed to conduct a visit to the country.

Bahrain

82. On 27 October 2014, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.

No positive response has yet been received, in spite of reminders sent on 27 November

2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive

reply will be received soon.

Bangladesh

83. The Working Group is concerned at the lack of replies to the cases and

communications transmitted, including in connection with three general allegations

transmitted on: 4 May 2011, concerning the alleged frequent use of enforced disappearance

as a tool by law enforcement agencies, and paramilitary and armed forces to detain and

even to execute individuals extrajudicially (see A/HRC/22/45 and Corr.1, para. 33, and

A/HRC/30/38, para. 61); 9 March 2016, concerning the reportedly alarming rise in the

number of cases of enforced disappearance in the country (see A/HRC/WGEID/108/1, para.

6); and on 22 February 2017, concerning allegations of grave human rights abuses and

violations committed by the security and intelligence forces, as well as law enforcement

authorities (see A/HRC/WGEID/111/1, para. 24 and annex II).

84. On 12 March 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.

No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on 27

October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working

Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Burundi

85. The Working Group continues to be concerned (see A/HRC/33/51, paras. 85–86,

and A/HRC/36/39, para. 68) about the situation in Burundi, which may facilitate the

occurrence of enforced disappearances. It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which

provides that no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced

disappearances.

86. On 27 May 2009, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.

The Working Group regrets that, on 27 March 2017, the Government declined to issue an

invitation and hopes that due consideration will be given to its last reminder sent on 19

January 2018.

China

87. The Working Group reiterates its concern in relation to individuals who were

detained in China, and placed under investigation, yet whose exact whereabouts remain

unknown (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 71, A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 29, and

A/HRC/WGEID/115/1, paras. 23–24). The Working Group reiterates that these conditions

of detention are a form of enforced disappearance, and urges the Government of China to

disclose the fate and whereabouts of all detained persons, regardless of the nature of the

charges against them. The Working Group reiterates that accurate information on the

detention of persons deprived of liberty and their place or places of detention, including

transfers, should be made available promptly to their family members, their counsel or to

any other persons having a legitimate interest in the information (art. 10 (2) of the

Declaration).

88. The Working Group is concerned at the very high number of enforced

disappearances of Uighurs, which escalated dramatically in 2017 with the introduction of

“re-education” camps in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region by the Government of

China (see A/HRC/WGEID/115, annex I).

89. On 19 February 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a

visit to the country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of

reminders sent on 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January

2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

90. The Working Group reiterates its previous call to the Security Council to consider

referring the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the International

Criminal Court (see A/HRC/27/49, para. 72).

91. The Working Group took note of the statements released after the summit between

the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea on 27 April 2018, in

which the two countries agreed to endeavor to swiftly resolve the humanitarian issues that

had resulted from the division of the nation. The Working Group urges that the issue of

enforced disappearances, including the fates and whereabouts of the abductees, should be

resolved during that process.

92. On 22 May 2015, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No

response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on 18

November 2016 and 19 January 2018. It hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

93. The Working Group continues to be concerned (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 77) about

the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which may facilitate the occurrence

of enforced disappearances. It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which provides that no

circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.

94. On 17 May 2017, the Working Group requested an invitation to undertake a visit to

the country. It hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Egypt

95. While the Working Group thanks the Government for its large number of replies,

which continue to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to engage with the Working

Group and have allowed it to clarify a large number of cases, it remains concerned by the

number of new cases that continue to be received. During the reporting period, it

transmitted 173 new cases under its urgent action procedure to the Government (see

A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 43, A/HRC/WGEID/114/1, para. 46, and

A/HRC/WGEID/115/1, para. 36). It reminds the Government that the clarification of many

of the cases does not exonerate it from its obligations under the Declaration, including to

take all measures necessary to prevent similar cases in the future. The Working Group is

concerned that, notwithstanding repeated calls to address what appears to be a systemic

problem relating to short-term enforced disappearances, the situation does not seem to have

improved and calls for urgent action in this regard from the Government.

96. The Working Group also expresses serious concern about the shrinking space of

civil society in Egypt and the chilling effect that this may have on individuals and

organizations that report on alleged enforced disappearances. It highlights in this respect its

serious concern at the case of Mr. Metwally, a lawyer and father of someone who has

disappeared, who was arrested on 12 September 2017 in Egypt on his way to a meeting

with the Working Group at its 113th session in Geneva (see para. 36 above). While noting

the information in the lengthy response provided by the Government of Egypt to the

communication sent on this case on 3 October 2017, the Working Group reiterates that the

arrest and charges against Mr. Metwally point to an act of reprisal for his cooperation with

a United Nations human rights mechanism, and a deliberate obstruction of his legitimate

human rights activity to seek to establish the fate and whereabouts of his son and other

disappeared people in Egypt. The Working Group also emphasizes that, as provided for in

article 13 of the Declaration, those involved in the investigation of enforced disappearance

should be protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal. It has requested an update

on his case and the outstanding questions raised in the aforementioned communication and

hopes to receive this information soon.

97. On 30 June 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No

response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on 8

November 2012, 18 September 2013, 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November

2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received

soon.

El Salvador

98. The Working Group welcomes two rulings from the Constitutional Chamber of the

Supreme Court that ordered the Ministry of Defence and the military to conduct an internal

investigation and to deliver information about military operations that involved the

disappearance of children during the armed conflict (operations “guinda de mayo” and

“invasión anillo”).

99. The Working Group also takes note with interest of the appointment of the

commissioners of the National Commission for the Search of Disappeared Persons during

the armed conflict in El Salvador (CONABÚSQUEDA) and awaits for the beginning of its

activities and the creation and implementation of a national search plan.

Eritrea

100. The Working Group regrets its total lack of interaction with the Government of

Eritrea, including the lack of a reply to the general allegation transmitted on 21 March 2017

in relation to the alleged widespread and systematic human rights violations, including

enforced disappearances, committed throughout the country over the past 25 years (see

A/HRC/WGEID/111/1, para. 52 and annex II).

101. The Working Group reiterates its endorsement of the call made by the commission

of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea for the Security Council to consider referring the

situation in Eritrea to the International Criminal Court (see A/HRC/32/47, para. 132, and

A/HRC/36/39, para. 82).

Guatemala

102. The Working Group welcomes the ruling issued on 23 May 2018 by the High Risk

“C” Tribunal in Guatemala against four high-ranking former military officials for crimes

against humanity, aggravated sexual violence and enforced disappearance in the Molina

Theissen case. The Working Group expects this decision to be a milestone in the fight

against impunity and hopes to be able to visit the country soon to follow up on this process.

103. The Working Group remains nevertheless concerned about draft law 5377, which

would reform the National Law on Reconciliation (Decree 145-96) and establish a general

amnesty and a total abolition of criminal accountability for those responsible for grave

violations of human rights during the internal conflict.

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

104. The Working Group remains concerned at the information received concerning acts

of harassment and intimidation against persons who have reported cases of enforced

disappearances or who have actively campaigned to learn the truth about their disappeared

relatives and sought justice for them (see A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 66, and

A/HRC/WGEID/114/1, para. 65). The Working Group would like to emphasize that,

according to article 13 (3) of the Declaration, steps should be taken to ensure that all those

involved in the investigation, including the complainant, counsel, witnesses and those

conducting the investigation, are protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal.

105. The Working Group regrets that no information has been received from the

Government in connection with the general allegation transmitted on 28 February 2017,

concerning the alleged lack of action to investigate unmarked graves and impunity for the

disappearance and extrajudicial execution of 5,000 political prisoners in the Islamic

Republic of Iran in the 1980s (see A/HRC/WGEID/111/1 para. 68 and annex II).

106. The Working Group once again recalls the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran

agreed to a visit by the Working Group in 2004, which was delayed at the request of the

Government. The visit has not yet taken place, in spite of reminders sent on 20 July 2009,

16 August 2010, 18 August 2011, 8 November 2012, 18 September 2013, 28 October 2014,

27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group calls

upon the Government to set the dates for the visit as soon as possible.

Kenya

107. The Working Group reiterates its concern (see A/36/39, para. 88) at the lack of

replies from the Government to its communications, including three general allegations

transmitted on: 30 September 2014 in relation to enforced disappearances and other human

rights violations reportedly carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (see

A/HRC/WGEID/104/1, paras. 71–78, and A/HRC/30/38, para. 76); on 4 March 2016 in

relation to alleged human rights violations, including enforced disappearances of terrorism

suspects, in the context of high-handed security measures, such as the “Usalama watch”

security operation carried out in April 2014 (see A/HRC/WGEID/108/1, para. 6); and on 1

June 2017 in relation to reports of enforced disappearances of notably young Muslims in

the coastal region of the country (see A/HRC/WGEID/112/1, para. 54). The Working

Group reiterates that, as provided for in article 7 of the Declaration, no circumstances

whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.

108. On 19 February 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the

country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of a reminders

sent on 2 September 2013, 28 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and

19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Libya

109. The Working Group continues to be concerned at the volatile situation in Libya,

which may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances.

110. The Working Group hopes that conditions will soon be appropriate to visit Libya.

Libya extended its invitation to the Working Group in 2012, but later suspended it due to

security concerns.

Mexico

111. The Working Group notes with appreciation the entry into force of the general law

on enforced disappearances and the federal law on declarations of absence of disappeared

persons and recommends the swift and effective implementation of both laws with the

participation of the families of the disappeared during the whole process. In particular, the

Working Group is concerned about the steps to guarantee the independence of the National

Search Unit.

112. The Working Group regrets the approval by Congress of the Law on Internal

Security (see para. 42 above) and expresses its concern that the increased role of the armed

forces in internal security without proper control and accountability may create the

conditions for the recurrence of human rights violations. It reiterates its recommendation

after its visit in 2011 to Mexico and its follow-up report published in 2015, which called for

the armed forces to be withdrawn from public security operations.

Myanmar

113. The Working Group continues to be concerned (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 92) at the

consistent and reliable reports of grave and systematic human rights violations in the

Rakhine State, including enforced disappearances (see A/HRC/37/70, para. 49). It

emphasizes that, as provided for in article 2 of the Declaration, no State shall practise,

permit or tolerate enforced disappearances and that, according to article 7 of the

Declaration, no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced

disappearances.

114. In that respect, the Working Group notes with concern the general allegation

transmitted on 9 June 2017, related to allegations of enforced disappearances following

security operations in northern Rakhine State (see A/HRC/WGEID/112/1, paras. 72–73 and

annex II) and requests that a reply be provided soon.

Nepal

115. The Working Group notes that the mandates of the Truth and Reconciliation

Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons have

been extended. The Working Group regrets, however, that the extensions are always made

on a yearly basis, which can impair the effectiveness of the work of these bodies. In that

respect, the Working Group reiterates its call to the Government of Nepal (see

A/HRC/36/39, para. 94) to guarantee the effective planning and functioning of those

Commissions, including the provision of adequate resources.

116. The Working Group also reiterates its recommendation to accelerate the adoption of

the bill that criminalizes enforced disappearances drafted by the Commission of

Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons in 2015 (see A/HRC/36/39, para. 95), in

consultation with relevant stakeholders, including victims and civil society organizations.

117. On 22 November 2016, the Working Group reiterated its request to visit the country,

which was initially made in 2006. No response has yet been received from the Government

in spite of a reminder sent on 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive

reply will be received soon.

Pakistan

118. While the Working Group thanks the Government for the large number of replies,

which continue to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to engage with the Working

Group, it remains concerned by the number of new cases that continue to be received.

During the reporting period, it transmitted 50 new cases under its urgent action procedure to

the Government (see A/HRC/WGEID/113/1, para. 96, A/HRC/WGEID/114/1, para. 100,

and A/HRC/WGEID/115/1, para. 76).

119. The Working Group reiterates the provisions of the Declaration, indicating that:

steps should be taken to ensure that all those involved in the investigation, including the

complainant, counsel, witnesses and those conducting the investigation, are protected

against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal (art. 13 (3)); and that any ill-treatment,

intimidation or reprisal or any other form of interference during the lodging of a complaint

or during the investigation should be appropriately punished (art. 13 (5)).

120. The Working Group reiterates its request (see A/36/39, para. 98) to conduct a

follow-up visit after its visit in September 2012, as indicated in the follow-up report (see

A/HRC/33/51/Add.7, para. 38).

Peru

121. The Working Group expressed its regret about the presidential pardon granted on 24

December 2017 to former President Fujimori on politically motivated grounds, who had

been convicted for the crimes of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and

kidnapping (see para. 43 above). It remains worried about the impunity that the decision

may entail, and recalls that international human rights law restricts the granting of

amnesties, pardons or other exclusions of responsibility in cases of serious human rights

violations, including enforced disappearances.

122. The Working Group awaits the implementation of the Law on the Search for the

Disappeared and the results of the National Plan on the Search for Disappeared Persons.

Philippines

123. The Working Group continues to be concerned at the situation in the Philippines

(see A/HRC/36/39, paras. 99–100), notably in relation to the alleged high number of

extrajudicial killings in the context of the “war on drugs”, which may facilitate the

occurrence of enforced disappearance. It emphasizes that, as provided for in article 7 of the

Declaration, no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced

disappearances.

Russian Federation

124. The Working Group appreciates the replies received on a number of individual cases

transmitted, but regrets that the investigations thereof have so far been unfruitful or

inconclusive.

125. On 2 November 2006, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the

country. Reminders were sent on 4 June 2008, 20 July 2009, 16 August 2010, 18 August

2011, 8 November 2012, 2 September 2013, 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18

November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group regrets that the Russian

Federation has indicated that it could not invite the Working Group to visit at this moment

in time. It reiterates its request and hopes that a positive reply will be received as soon as

possible.

Rwanda

126. The Working Group is concerned at the lack of replies to the cases and

communications transmitted.

127. On 27 October 2014, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.

No positive response has yet been received, in spite of the reminders sent on 27 November

2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive

reply will be received soon.

Sri Lanka

128. The Working Group notes the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons and

urges the Government to ensure its functioning and implementation and take into account

the recommendations made after the visit carried out in November 2015 (see

A/HRC/33/51/Add.2, paras. 79–80).

129. The Working Group reminds the State that the families of the disappeared in Sri

Lanka have waited too long to know the truth about the fate or whereabouts of their loved

ones. This is an absolute right under the Declaration and an obligation that the State should

meet in accordance with international law. It also reminds the State that the victims of

enforced disappearance and their families should obtain redress and have the right to

adequate compensation, including the means for as complete a rehabilitation as possible.

Sudan

130. The visit to Sudan scheduled for November 2017 was postponed due to a lack of

understanding about the terms of reference for the visit. The Working Group greatly regrets

that, in spite of a preliminary visit undertaken by the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working

Group in order to clarify the terms of reference on 5 and 6 December 2017 — and an

agreement in principle about the new dates in March 2018 — the Government has never

officially accepted the visit.

Syrian Arab Republic

131. The Working Group continues to be gravely concerned (see A/HRC/36/39 para. 105)

about the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, which facilitates the occurrence of

enforced disappearances. It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which provides that no

circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.

132. The Working Group reiterates its call to the Security Council to consider referring

the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (see A/HRC/27/49, para. 99, and

A/HRC/33/51, para. 103).

133. On 19 September 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the

country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent

on 2 September 2013, 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19

January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Thailand

134. The Working Group appreciates the meeting held during its 115th session. It

recommends that the draft act on prevention and suppression of torture and enforced

disappearance be swiftly adopted and that a definition of enforced disappearance in

conformity with the Declaration and the Convention be included therein. The act should

also prohibit refoulement to another country where the concerned individual may be at risk

of enforced disappearance, in conformity with article 8 of the Declaration.

135. On 30 June 2011, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country. No

positive response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent on

8 November 2012, 2 September 2013, 28 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November

2016 and 19 January 2018. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received

soon.

Turkey

136. The Working Group is concerned at the allegations concerning the practice of

extraterritorial abduction of individuals allegedly belonging to and/or sympathizers of the

Hizmet/Gülen movement, as pointed out in a number of communications (see

A/WGEID/114/1, paras. 7 and 145). Those individuals are often allegedly forcibly

disappeared for a short period of time, in violation of the provisions of the Declaration, and

then deported to Turkey.

Turkmenistan

137. On 18 November 2016, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the

country. The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

United Arab Emirates

138. On 13 September 2013, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the

country. No response has yet been received from the Government in spite of reminders sent

on 27 October 2014, 27 November 2015, 18 November 2016 and 19 January 2018. The

Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

Yemen

139. The Working Group continues to be concerned about the situation in Yemen, which

may facilitate the occurrence of enforced disappearances (see A/HRC/33/51, para. 109, and

A/HRC/36/39, para. 111). It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which provides that no

circumstances whatsoever may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.

140. On 31 October 2017, the Working Group requested an invitation to visit the country.

The Working Group hopes that a positive reply will be received soon.

V. Conclusions and recommendations

141. The Working Group is seriously concerned that the number of enforced

disappearances continues to be unacceptably high worldwide. A demonstration of this

sad reality is the fact that, during the reporting period, the Working Group

transmitted 802 newly reported cases of disappearance to 40 States. It used the urgent

action procedure in 264 of those cases, which allegedly occurred within the three

months preceding the receipt of the report by the Working Group.

142. In spite of the large number of cases, underreporting remains a major problem.

More assistance should be provided to family members and members of civil society

to enable them to report cases to the Working Group and, more importantly, to keep

working on enforced disappearance issues.

143. During the reporting period, the Working Group continued to observe a

pattern of short-term enforced disappearances being used in a number of countries.

The Working Group expresses its deep concern at the phenomenon. It stresses that

there is no time limit, no matter how short, for an enforced disappearance to occur

and that accurate information on the detention of any person deprived of liberty and

their place of detention should be made available promptly to family members.

144. The Working Group is concerned about the situation in a number of countries,

as reflected in the present report. It reiterates article 7 of the Declaration, which

provides that no circumstances whatsoever, whether a threat of war, a state of war,

internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked to justify

enforced disappearances.

145. The Working Group continues to be concerned about increasing instances of

abductions carried out by non-State actors, which may be tantamount of acts of

enforced disappearance. The Working Group will continue to study whether those

situations fall under its mandate and, if so, what actions should be taken. The

Working Group calls on all relevant stakeholders to take appropriate measures in

relation to this issue and to provide information to, and share their views on this

matter with, the Working Group.

146. The Working Group has decided to study further the issue of standards and

public policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances (see paras. 49

et seq. above). It calls upon all States to carefully look into the matter and inform it of

any appropriate measures and practices in this regard.

147. The Working Group continues to note a pattern of threats, intimidation and

reprisals against victims of enforced disappearance, including family members,

witnesses and human rights defenders working on such cases. It calls on States to take

specific measures to prevent such acts, protect those working on cases of enforced

disappearances and punish the perpetrators, in accordance with article 13 (1) and (3)

of the Declaration.

148. Country visits are an integral part of the mandate of the Working Group. Visits

allow the Working Group to highlight country practices in addressing enforced

disappearance, to assist States in reducing obstacles to implement the Declaration and

to ensure direct contact with the family members of victims. The Working Group

thanks the Governments of Mali and Ukraine for the invitations extended during the

reporting period. It also recognizes the support provided by the Government of the

Gambia during the visit carried out in June 2017. During the reporting period, the

Working Group requested visits to Mali, Lebanon and Yemen.

149. In addition to having made new requests, the Working Group reiterated its

past requests to visit the following countries, without having yet received a positive

response: Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, China, Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya,

Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, South Africa, Syrian

Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and

Zimbabwe. There are other countries that have invited the Working Group to visit

and/or confirmed invitations, but for which specific dates to visit have not been agreed,

such as Algeria and Iran (Islamic Republic of). Visits to Libya, South Sudan and

Sudan, which have been accepted by the respective countries, have not materialized so

far for different reasons. The Working Group therefore calls upon all States with

pending requests for visits to respond favourably to them in the light of Human Rights

Council resolution 21/4 and, for those that have agreed to visits, to respond as soon as

possible with specific dates.

150. The Working Group reiterates its previous call to be given a role in the follow-

up to the findings of the commissions of inquiry and other fact-finding or investigative

bodies created by the Human Rights Council insofar as they relate to enforced

disappearances (see A/HRC/33/51, para. 119, and A/HRC/36/39, para. 120).

151. The Working Group continues the practice of holding one session each year

outside Geneva, in part so as to facilitate interaction with the relatives of disappeared

persons and raise awareness of the Working Group’s mandate and activities at the

local and regional levels. It appreciates the invitation received from the Government

of Belgium to hold a session during the reporting period. The Working Group invites

other countries to follow this good example.

152. The Working Group once again calls upon States that have not signed and/or

ratified the Convention to do so as soon as possible and to accept the competence of

the Committee to receive individual cases under article 31 and inter-State complaints

under article 32 of the Convention.

Annex I

Country visit requests and invitations extended

Invitations extended to the WGEID

Country Date

Albania 5 to 12 December 2016

Algeria1 tbd

Ecuador tbd

Gambia (the) 12 to 19 June 2017

Iran (Islamic Republic of)2 tbd

Kyrgyzstan tbd

Libya3 tbd, postponed

South Sudan4 Last quarter of 2016 (did not take place)

Mali Last quarter of 2018 (tbd)

Sudan5 20 to 29 November 2017 (postponed)

Tajikistan tbd

Ukraine 11 to 20 June 2018

Visits requested by the WGEID

Country Request sent Last reminder sent

Bahrain 27 October 2014 19 January 2018

Bangladesh 12 March 2013 19 January 2018

Belarus 30 June 2011 19 January 2018

Burundi 27 May 2009 19 January 2018

China 19 February 2013 19 January 2018

Democratic Republic of the Congo

17 May 2017 -

Egypt 30 June 2011 19 January 2018

El Salvador 6 October 2017 30 May 2018

India 16 August 2010 19 January 2018

Indonesia 12 December 2006 19 January 2018

Kenya 19 February 2013 19 January 2018

1 See para. 29 and 83 above.

2 See para. 29 and 108 above.

3 See para. 30 and 112 above.

4 See para. 30 above.

5 See para. 28 and 132 above.

Visits requested by the WGEID

Country Request sent Last reminder sent

Lebanon 27 November 2015 19 January 2018

Nepal 12 May 2006 19 January 2018

Nicaragua 23 May 2006 19 January 2018

Philippines 3 April 2013 19 January 2018

Russian Federation 2 November 2006 19 January 2018

Rwanda 27 October 2014 19 January 2018

South Africa 28 October 2014 19 January 2018

Syrian Arab Republic 19 September 2011 19 January 2018

Thailand 30 June 2011 19 January 2018

Turkmenistan 18 November 2016 -

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

27 October 2014 27 November 2015

United Arab Emirates 13 September 2013 19 January 2018

Uzbekistan 30 June 2011 19 January 2018

Zimbabwe 20 July 2009 19 January 2018

Yemen 31 October 2017

A /H

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9

Annex II

Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to the Working Group between 1980 and 2018, and general allegations transmitted

States/entities

Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification

Discontinued

cases

Closed

cases

General Allegation

Outstanding cases Total

Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female

Afghanistan 3 3

Albania 1 1

Algeria 3 228 20 3 257 23 9 20 11 10 8 Yes (2013, 2018) Yes (2013);

No (2018)

Angola 2 12 1 7 7 3

Argentina 3 084 728 3 444 775 282 78 39 5 316

Azerbaijan 1 1

Bahrain 2 18 3 13 2 14 Yes (2014) Yes

Bangladesh 57 1 60 2 1 2 3 Yes (2011, 2017) No

Belarus 3 3

Bhutan 1 1

Bolivia (Plurinational State of) 28 3 48 3 19 1 19 1

Bosnia and Herzegovina Yes

(2009/2011/2014) Yes

Brazil 13 63 4 46 4 1 49

Bulgaria 3 3 3

Burkina Faso 3 3 3

Burundi 66 1 67 1 1 1 Yes (2018) No

Cambodia 1 3 2

Cameroon 14 19 5 4 1 Yes (2016) No

Central African Republic 3 3 Yes (2013) No

Chad 23 34 3 8 9 1 1

A /H

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3 0

States/entities

Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification

Discontinued

cases

Closed

cases

General Allegation

Outstanding cases Total

Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female

Chile 785 63 908 65 101 22 2 121

China 45 11 144 25 78 21 60 37 2 Yes

(2010/2011/2018)

Yes; No

(2018)

Colombia 973 96 1 260 126 219 68 160 24 103 Yes (2012/2013/

2015/2016/2017) No (2017)

Congo 89 3 91 3 2

Cuba 1 1 1

Czechia Yes (2009) Yes

Democratic People’s Republic

of Korea 233 42 233 42 Yes (2012) No

Democratic Republic of the

Congo 48 11 58 11 6 4 10 Yes (2015) Yes

Denmark 1 1 1 Yes (2009) No

Dominican Republic 2 5 2 2 1

Ecuador 5 27 2 18 4 12 4 6

Egypt1, 2 363 8 617 8 144 110 64 188 2 Yes

(2011/2016/2017)

Yes; No

(2017)

El Salvador 2 282 296 2 673 333 318 73 196 175 20 Yes (2015/2015) No

Equatorial Guinea 8 8

Eritrea 62 4 62 4 Yes (2012/2017) No

Ethiopia 113 1 120 2 3 4 2 5

France 1 1

Gambia 13 2 21 2 8 8

Georgia 1 1 1

Greece 1 3 2

Guatemala 2 897 372 3 154 390 177 80 187 6 64 Yes (2011/2013) Yes

1 The Working Group determined during its 114th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.

2 The Working Group determined during its 114th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.

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3

1

States/entities

Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification

Discontinued

cases

Closed

cases

General Allegation

Outstanding cases Total

Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female

Guinea 37 2 44 2 7 7

Guyana 1 1

Haiti 38 1 48 1 9 1 1 4 5

Honduras 130 21 210 34 37 43 54 8 18

India 396 10 476 13 68 12 51 7 22 Yes

(2009/2011/2013) No

Indonesia 164 6 168 3 3 1 3 1 Yes

(2011/2013/2017) No

Iran (Islamic Republic of) 535 103 555 103 15 5 8 3 9 Yes (2017) No

Iraq 16 419 2 300 16 566 2 317 117 30 122 16 9

Ireland Yes (2009) No

Israel 3 4 1 1

Japan 4 3

Jordan 3 6 3 1 2

Kazakhstan 2 2 2

Kenya 77 77

Yes

(2011/2014/2016/

2017)

No

Kuwait 1 2 1 1

Lao People’s Democratic

Republic 2 1 11 2 8 7 1 1

Lebanon 314 19 323 19 2 7 8 1

Libya3 50 59 1 9 6 2 1 Yes (2014) No

Lithuania Yes (2012) Yes

Malaysia 2 4 1 1 1

Maldives 1 1

Mauritania 5 6 1 1

3 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that one case was a duplicate and subsequently expunged it from the records.

A /H

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3 2

States/entities

Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification

Discontinued

cases

Closed

cases

General Allegation

Outstanding cases Total

Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female

Mexico4 371 33 562 43 134 39 83 18 72 18

Yes

(2013/2014/2017/

2017/2017)

No (2014

and one of

2017)

Montenegro 16 1 1 1 14 1

Morocco5 160 9 394 31 160 53 141 16 56 21 Yes (2013) Yes

Mozambique 3 3

Myanmar 2 1 9 6 7 5 2 Yes (2017) No

Namibia 2 3 1 1

Nepal 480 60 694 73 135 79 153 60 1 Yes (2014) No

Nicaragua 103 2 234 4 112 19 45 11 75

Nigeria 1 8 6 1 7

Oman 1 1 1

Pakistan6 747 9 1 000 10 167 86 150 84 19 Yes (2015, 2017) No (2017)

Paraguay 23 20 19 1 3 Yes (2014) Yes

Peru 2 364 236 3 006 311 254 388 450 85 107

Philippines 625 74 786 94 126 35 112 19 30 Yes (2009/2012) No

Romania 1 1 1

Republic of Korea 3 3

Russian Federation 809 38 821 40 2 10 12 Yes (2016, 2018) No (2018)

Rwanda 23 3 26 2 2 1 1 1

Saudi Arabia7 12 1 25 5 6 3 7 1 2

Serbia 1 1 1

Seychelles 3 3

Somalia 1 1

4 The Working Group decided at its 114th session to discontinue the consideration of two outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.

5 The Working Group determined during its 115th session that four cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.

6 The Working Group determined during its 114th and 115th sessions that nine cases were duplicates and subsequently expunged them from the records.

7 The Working group decided at its 115th session to reopen two cases.

A /H

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3

3

States/entities

Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification

Discontinued

cases

Closed

cases

General Allegation

Outstanding cases Total

Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female

South Africa 2 1 13 2 3 2 1 1 3 6

South Sudan 3 3

Spain 6 9 3 3 Yes (2014) Yes

Sri Lanka 5 958 121 12 549 191 6 551 40 118 27 6 446 Yes (2011/2014) Yes

Sudan 176 5 392 37 206 10 213 3

Switzerland 1 1 1

Syrian Arab Republic 287 26 345 12 16 42 31 21 6 Yes (2) (2011) Yes

Tajikistan8 1 8 5 2 1 6

Thailand 86 9 90 8 2 1 1 2 Yes (2008, 2018) No

The former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia Yes (2009) No

Timor-Leste 428 29 504 36 58 18 51 23 2

Togo 10 2 11 2 1 1

Tunisia 12 29 1 12 5 2 15

Turkey 92 3 227 14 82 52 75 27 32 1

Turkmenistan 5 8 3 2 1

Uganda 15 2 22 4 2 5 2 5

Ukraine 6 9 2 1 2 1

United Arab Emirates9 5 1 43 5 8 30 10 28

United Republic of Tanzania 2 2 2

United States of America 5 6 1 1

Uruguay 20 2 34 7 13 1 5 4 5 Yes

(2013/2015/2018) No (2018)

Uzbekistan 7 20 12 1 2 11

8 The Working Group decided at its 114th session to discontinue the consideration of two outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.

9 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to discontinue the consideration of three outstanding cases in accordance with paragraph 28 of its methods of work.

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3 4

States/entities

Cases transmitted to the Government Cases clarified by: Status of person at date of clarification

Discontinued

cases

Closed

cases

General Allegation

Outstanding cases Total

Government Sources At liberty In detention Dead GA sent Response Cases Female Cases Female

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic

of) 15 2 19 3 4 1 3

Viet Nam 2 2 1 1

Yemen10 14 172 135 9 66 5 73 14

Zambia 1 1 1 1

Zimbabwe 5 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 Yes (2009) No

State of Palestine 4 1 5 1 1 1

10 The Working Group decided at its 113th session to transfer one case from Oman to Yemen.

Annex III

Graphs showing the number of cases of enforced disappearances by country and by year according to the cases transmitted by the Working Group during the period between 1980 and 2 May 2018 (only for countries with more than 100 cases transmitted)

5 3 1 1 1 4 1 1 3 4 1 1 3 22

111

10931091

595

212

57

15 8 2 5 2 2 6 3 2 1 1

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1964 66 68 70 72 75 76 78 79 80 81 87 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000200120022003200620072008200920112012

ALGERIA

2 1 8

100

1391

1181

324

50 36 12 1 1 1 1 2 7 1 1 2 1

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

ARGENTINA

422

258

84

111

16 3 4 2 1 5 1

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

73 74 75 76 77 78 81 84 85 87 89

CHILE

38

4

82

75 73

88

82 78

74

102

22

86

24

57

28 29 24

36

23

53

33 32 27

23 22

11 10 14

5 1 2 1 1

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

72-79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2014 2016

COLOMBIA

1 1 1 1 1 2 1 4 3

7 8 6 2 1 1 2

19

4

13

1

17 21

119

161

35

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1983 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2005 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

EGYPT

15 15 36

16

143

482

341

654

536

126

68

29 46 42

54

25 37

2 1 5

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 2007 2014

EL SALVADOR

8

1

5

1 3

4

1

5

1 1

7 7

13

47

3 4

2 1 1

3 1 1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

74 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2005 2007 2016

ETHIOPIA

34

179

364 375

522

490

424

290

153

64 65 52

77

29 13 7 9 4 1

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 2002

GUATEMALA

1

61

22 22

28 29

6

10 10

3 4

1 1 2 1 1

5

2 1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 92 93 94 95 99 2006 2011 2015

HONDURAS

3 12

4 2 5

202

51

2

18

1 1 1 3 7

2 1 1 2 1 3 1

0

50

100

150

200

250

75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95-96 97 98 99 2000 2016

LEBANON

6 6

46

25

33

52

33

9

6

19

7 7

2 3

1 2

3 1

4

1 2

38

21

5

26

12

4 3

2

7 5

4

15 16

29

39

36

14

5 6

3 4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

MEXICO

1

60

19 22

56

42

4

17

4 1

4 2 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 89 90 94

NICARAGUA

3 4 8 1 4 3 1 1 5

46

14 4 1 2 5 1 3

8

23

3 5

34 37

23 20 33

54

278

297

73

6

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1 9

7 1

1 9

8 5

1 9

8 6

1 9

8 9

1 9 9

0

1 9

9 1

1 9

9 2

1 9

9 3

1 9

9 4

1 9

9 5

1 9

9 6

1 9

9 8

1 9

9 9

2 0

0 0

2 0

0 1

2 0

0 3

2 0

0 4

2 0

0 5

2 0

0 6

2 0

0 7

2 0

0 8

2 0

0 9

2 0

1 0

2 0

1 1

2 0

1 2

2 0

1 3

2 0

1 4

2 0

1 5

2 0

1 6

2 0

1 7

2 0

1 8

PAKISTAN

2

433 414

208

256

134

230

451

290

328

195

37

13 10 5 1 2 1 0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98-99 2000 2013

PERU

7

38

16

28

48

42

24

17

24

148

83

2

12

63

48 52

17 19 17

5 2 1

4 4 1

6 4 4 4

12

21

5 2 1 2 3

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

PHILIPPINES

144

3

15

48

12 4

203

111

122

58

48

27

7 6 4 6 1 1 1 1

0

50

100

150

200

250

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012 2014 2016 2018

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

1 1 4 2

253

1 1 3 1 1

52

23 24

14

0 1 2 1 4 3

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

91 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2011 2015 2016 2017

SUDAN

1 2

30

10 2

45 45

2 6

28

243

20

1

36 33

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85-86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 96 97

TIMOR LESTE

1 4

26

37

76

29

15

6

14

6 4

1 3

5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2001 2007 2016 2017

TURKEY