Article

Sri Lanka’s Wavering Commitment to Accountability for Enforced Disappearances

Author
Cristián Correa
Publication Year
2018
Region
Asia and the Pacific
Thematic Area
Families / Law & Policies / Mechanisms / The Search Process
Topic
Criminal Justice / Enforced Disappearance / Family Needs / Memorialization / Mental Health / Right to Know/Truth
Access
Open access

Enforced disappearances continue to affect hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The 2006 International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, now ratified or signed by 107 States, has spurred growing awareness of this issue, an increase in legislation criminalizing the practice, and mechanisms for the search of those disappeared. But in many countries, there are still unfulfilled promises, and the passage of time does not erase the intense suffering and anguish of those who do not know what happened to their loved ones. This article takes stock of Sri Lanka's progress toward accountability for enforced disappearances, including through the Office of Missing Persons.