UN body welcomes bill to criminalise enforced disappearances

ISLAMABAD: Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssell says “we are encouraged by the Government of Pakistan’s tabling this month of a bill before Parliament to criminalise enforced disappearances”.

The spokesperson said the proposed legislation would be a major step forward in addressing enforced disappearances, which for decades have been a key human rights concern in Pakistan. “We urge Pakistan to take all necessary steps to ensure the bill’s timely passage.” Enforced disappearance is a serious human rights violation that severely increases the risk of torture and arbitrary deprivation of life, and for which there must be accountability.

“In this regard, we also urge Pakistan to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance,” says the spokesperson. The UN Human Rights Office says it stands ready to lend any technical advice or assistance that may be required in adopting the law in line with international standards.