Enforced Disappearances: ACHRS Calls for Truth, Justice and Accountability

The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS), calls for urgent action to address enforced disappearances and uphold the rights of victims and their families. Our new report, prepared by Amina Alayout, examines the interactive dialogue with the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, with particular attention to the Middle East and North Africa.

The scale of the challenge is substantial. Between May 2025 and May 2026, the Working Group transmitted 1,723 new cases to 36 States, its highest annual total in a decade. More than 50,000 cases remained under active consideration, while over 8,000 awaited registration, review or processing. UN funding constraints have restricted the Working Group’s capacity, delaying opportunities to clarify people’s whereabouts and support families searching for answers. These figures represent cases reaching the mechanism, rather than the full extent of disappearances worldwide. UN Human Rights Council dialogue

Our report examines disappearances across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Egypt, highlighting the consequences for political dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, minorities, women and children. Families face prolonged uncertainty, psychological distress and financial hardship, while fear of disappearance undermines civic participation and silences communities.

Limited participation in the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance remains a central concern in the Arab region. We urge States that have not yet joined the Convention to do so and to implement effective domestic protections. Our report also highlights the Working Group’s continuing role in engaging States regardless of their ratification status.

Discussions concerning Palestine and Ukraine demonstrate the urgent challenges posed by disappearances in active conflicts. Our report also examines risks associated with transnational repression and transfers of detainees across borders, including transfers from north-east Syria to Iraq. We stress the need for transparent procedures, judicial safeguards and reliable information about detainees’ fate and whereabouts.

We call on States and the international community to:

• Criminalise enforced disappearance as a distinct offence and ensure prompt, independent investigations and accountability.
• Protect families’ access to information, justice and reparations.
• Cooperate fully with UN mechanisms, respond to communications and facilitate country visits.
• Provide adequate, sustained resources for the Working Group and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances.
• Ensure that cross-border transfers do not expose people to disappearance, torture or other serious violations.

Our report further emphasises that preserving victims’ memory and protecting archives should form part of a comprehensive approach to justice, developed with victims and families. Memorial initiatives must accompany investigations, accountability and institutional reform.

We reaffirm our solidarity with disappeared persons and the families who continue searching for them. Their right to truth must remain central to every response.

To read the full report as PDF, click here