The disappeared

On August 30, the world remembers the victims of enforced disappearances. The day is a grim reminder of how many states around the world continue to flaunt the rights of their citizens. Syria and Egypt remain the two countries will the most people who have been picked up by state authorities with no record of where or on what charges they have been picked up. The numbers in Syria rank in the thousands while Egypt has disappeared hundreds to stem internal discontent. Joining the ranks are Thailand, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cameron, Mexico, Ukraine India, Pakistan and a number of other countries. Pakistan and India, who miss no opportunity to go after the human rights record of each other, should look into their own practices in Balochistan and Kashmir retrospectively where hundreds if not thousands remain missing.

In each of these countries, human rights activists have taken up the mantle within courts, in the streets and on social media. Many of these activists themselves become victims of enforced disappearances.  This year alone there have been around 70 enforced disappearances reported in Pakistan every month. Pakistan’s Supreme Court in 2013 also declared enforced disappearances as a violation of the constitution. It is fairly simple to understand why. Enforced disappearances go against the basic rights of citizens. The absence of a concerted global effort to end enforced disappearances is most disturbing. The UN has not fulfilled it roles, nor have other international bodies. Disappearing dissenting voices without trace produces more discontent.

Hissam Khan

Lahore