The Government of the Czech Republic has announced that it will provide funds for the work of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) for the year 2008. The donation totals 600,000 Czech Koruna, or 24,000 Euros.

“We are pleased to expand our donor contribution to include assistance to ICMP and its important efforts to help the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina account for persons missing from the conflicts of the 1990’s,” said H. E. Jiří Kuděla Ambassador of the Czech Republic. “Their work is not only helping BiH deal with a difficult past, but is contributing to addressing the future in an open, accountable and transparent manner,” he added.

“ICMP is delighted that the Government of the Czech Republic has joined the group of nations that provide financial support to our work and we would like to express our deep gratitude for this generous donation,” said the Director-General of ICMP, Ms. Kathryne Bomberger.

ICMP endeavors to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying persons missing as a result of armed conflicts, other hostilities or violations of human rights and to assist them in doing so. ICMP also supports the work of other organizations in their efforts, encourages public involvement in its activities and contributes to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing.

ICMP activities include:

· Providing technical assistance in locating and identifying missing persons, including the use of high-throughput capacity DNA analysis and forensic support in the fields of archeology and anthropology.

· Assisting governments in meeting their legal obligations regarding missing persons through contributing to building institutional and legislative capacity, as well as contributing to the work of justice sector institutions, including prosecutors, judges, police, and forensic specialists.

· Supporting civil society groups that advocate for truth, justice, and the rights of family members of missing persons.

· Responding to requests for documentation and reports from international and domestic courts on matters related to war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other crimes under international law, in line with data protection procedures and other safeguards under ICMP policy.

· Providing disaster relief support following humanitarian disasters.

The work of ICMP is also supported by the Governments of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Great Britain, the United States and the European Union. The C.S. Mott Foundation provides funding to ICMP for the “Paths to Reconciliation” project.