Pristina, 28 April 2017: ICMP presented its third Kosovo Stocktaking Report this morning at a press conference in Pristina. The previous Stocktaking Reports were published in 2005 and 2010. The report provides a detailed account of progress in accounting for those who went missing during the conflict, together with recommendations on how more progress can be made.

In the 17 years since the end of the conflict, more than 6,000 cases of human remains have been recovered on the territory of Kosovo, and almost 900 on the territory of Serbia. Since 2002, more than 2,500 missing persons cases have been resolved through the use of effective forensic work, including DNA testing. Approximately 2,000 cases were identified by traditional methods, including visual identifications prior to 2002. Today, the number of missing persons is estimated to be over 1,600 persons.

Survivors and families of the missing…

The Hague, 7 April 2017: The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) welcomes the decree establishing the Search Unit for Missing Persons in Colombia which was signed by President Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota on Thursday. The Search Unit will be in charge of addressing the issue of missing persons from the 50 year armed conflict. The signing ceremony took place at the Centro de Memoria, Paz y Reconciliación in Bogota.

“The decision to establish the Search Unit as part of the peace process underscores the recognition of the importance of resolving the issue of missing persons as an opportunity to advance peace and reinstate the rule-of-law, and thus to enhance confidence in public institutions on a highly emblematic issue,” said Kathryne Bomberger, Director-General of ICMP. “The ICMP looks forward to working with the Government of Colombia in enhancing its institutional and legislative capacity…