Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered a stark warning during an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly this week, highlighting the growing crisis of missing persons worldwide. At the first session of its kind dedicated to the issue, he urged urgent and decisive action from Member States to combat what he called an “unprecedented” surge in disappearances, driven largely by armed conflict and a deepening disregard for international humanitarian law.
“Persistent impunity for violations of international humanitarian law fuels more abuses,” Türk emphasized, calling the current situation “enormous” in scale. While the meeting initially focused on those missing due to armed conflict, Türk noted that disappearances today also stem from repression, counter-terrorism operations, migration, and the targeting of activists and human rights defenders.
“In times of conflict, instability, and repression, people are at even greater risk of disappearing,” he said. “Accountability is crucial.”
General Assembly President Philémon Yang echoed Türk’s message, underlining a collective moral obligation: “We have a moral responsibility to determine and find every missing person.”
A Crisis Just Beneath the Surface
Over the past 45 years, the UN’s Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has dealt with more than 62,000 cases across 115 countries. However, Türk warned that this figure represents only the “tip of a very large iceberg.”
President Yang acknowledged the emotional and psychological toll of these disappearances and called for concrete measures to reduce the suffering of victims and their families.
There are signs of progress. The High Commissioner referenced the First World Congress on Enforced Disappearances held earlier this year as a sign of growing international momentum. The event brought together governments, civil society groups, and victims’ families in a united front to address the crisis.
Prioritize Legal Frameworks
In his address, Türk outlined three priority areas for immediate action. First, he called on nations to reinforce global human rights standards and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted in 2006. Regrettably, only 77 countries have ratified it.
“The Convention guarantees the right to know the fate and whereabouts of disappeared persons, and the progress of investigations—exactly what families need and deserve,” he said.
He stressed that justice and accountability are essential, particularly in a context where impunity remains widespread. “For families, accountability begins with knowing the truth about their loved ones—no matter how they went missing.”
Türk urged countries to carry out thorough investigations, prosecute perpetrators, and strengthen national forensic and legal institutions to identify victims and deliver justice.
Center the Victims
Equally important, Türk said, is putting victims and their families at the heart of all response efforts. He highlighted the key role often played by women, who frequently lead the search for missing relatives in extremely dangerous conditions.
In many cases, legal barriers prevent these families from accessing essential services, such as education, healthcare, or property rights. This not only stigmatizes them but also pushes many deeper into poverty.
“Families are often ignored, disbelieved, or silenced,” he warned. “They must be able—and feel safe—to speak out for their missing loved ones, both at home and internationally.”
Building Momentum for Change
Highlighting international progress, Türk pointed to the recent establishment of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic. This new body aims to clarify the fate of thousands who have disappeared during the country’s protracted conflict and to support survivors and relatives.
In February, the head of the institution met with dozens of families in Damascus, many of whom were being officially asked about their missing loved ones for the first time.
A Call to Shared Humanity
Closing his remarks, Türk pledged the continued support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in helping victims and encouraging States to uphold their commitments. OHCHR remains actively involved in promoting the global human rights framework, following up on individual cases, and connecting victims with UN support mechanisms.
“We all have a role to play,” he concluded. “Let us come together for truth and justice—in solidarity with victims, everywhere. Our common humanity demands it.”
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