The present edition of the Review deals exclusively with the issue of missing persons or persons unaccounted for. Confronted with this issue on a daily basis, the ICRC has resolved to start a process of deliberation on it. The first phase has been devoted to gathering and analysing information on related topics, in close cooperation with academic institutions. The topics reviewed cover protection work and restoration of family links, support for the families of missing persons, collection and management of personal data, and mechanisms for handling cases of missing persons. The Review publishes herewith a selection of articles on the missing persons issue, some of which have been prepared for the deliberation process.