ICMP report provides overview of the problem and important recommendations to Colombia
The report, entitled Colombia's Response to Enforced Disappearances, examines Colombia's efforts to confront the problem of thousands of cases of enforced disappearance through analyzing its work in searching for and identifying victims, including the institutional and procedural mechanisms established for that purpose, the technical processes employed and the work undertaken directly with the victims, as they were at the close of the assessment (March 2008). Further, the report contains a list of precise recommendations that, if implemented, should further enhance different aspects of the search and identification process in Colombia.
One of the many tragic consequences of Colombia's internal armed conflict has been the enforced disappearance of many thousands of people. In cases of enforced disappearance, individuals are abducted, often tortured and killed, and are never heard from again. The conflict is not over and acts of disappearances continue to occur. The scale of the problem is unknown. Unofficial figures range dramatically from 3,000 to over 15,000 with some victims groups even estimating the total number to be over 100,000.
ICMP conducted assessment visit in December 2007 and March 2008. While in Colombia, ICMP experts met with numerous representatives of state institutions, NGOs, victims’ groups, foreign governments and international organizations both in Bogota and Medellin. The final report was produced on the International Day of Missing Persons, 30th August, and submitted to the State Prosecutor's Office.
To download and read the reports in English or Spanish, and the related addenda, please follow the links below:
- REPORT: COLOMBIA'S RESPONSE TO ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES (PDF file, 835 KB)
- ADDENDUM TO THE ICMP REPORT: COLOMBIA’S RESPONSE TO ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES (PDF file, 187 KB)
- RESPUESTA DE COLOMBIA A LAS DESAPARICIONES FORZADAS (PDF file, 787 KB)
Also see ICMP Worldwide/South America/Colombia