Families of Missing Persons Seek Answers and Assistance, Urges ICRC on International Day of the Disappeared
On the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is calling on authorities, communities, and society at large to recognize the anguish and uncertainty faced by the families of missing persons. The ICRC emphasizes that knowing the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones is the most pressing need for these families.
When a person goes missing, it not only creates emotional distress but also exacerbates the economic, legal, and administrative challenges faced by their families. In many cases, the missing person is the breadwinner of the family, further intensifying the difficulties. The ICRC stresses that time alone does not heal the pain, but rather the answers to what happened to the missing individual.
International humanitarian law enshrines the right of people to know the fate of their missing relatives, and authorities have an obligation to provide information and assist in efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of missing persons. This obligation extends to armed conflicts, where parties involved must take measures to prevent people from going missing.
The ICRC emphasizes the need for increased and continuous efforts to search for missing persons and provide answers to their families on an individual basis. This includes strengthening national frameworks and systems, establishing processes and mechanisms for locating missing persons, and collecting and processing relevant information.
The ICRC notes that Sri Lanka has not been spared from this humanitarian tragedy. Thousands of families across the country are still suffering from uncertainty regarding the fate of their missing loved ones. It is crucial for these families to receive answers and be able to live with dignity.
In Sri Lanka, the ICRC is implementing an island-wide support program that addresses the emotional, economic, legal, and administrative needs of families of missing persons. The ICRC is also working with authorities and stakeholders to enhance their capacity to meet the multifaceted needs of these families and establish the fate of the missing individuals.
Recently, the Office of the Missing Persons in Sri Lanka expressed its commitment to serving justice to the families of missing persons within six months. The office has fast-tracked the tracing mechanism transparently, and the preliminary investigations are expected to conclude before December. Relatives who wish to obtain certificates for missing persons or death certificates will be provided with the relevant documents. The office also aims to provide revival payments to the eligible relatives through the Office for Reparations, based on recommendations from the Office on Missing Persons.
In conclusion, it is crucial to acknowledge the plight of families of missing persons and provide them with the answers they deserve. The ICRC and relevant authorities must continue their collaborative efforts to address this humanitarian tragedy and ensure that these families can live with dignity.
