Sessions of the Working Group

Sessions

The Working Group holds three sessions during the year. The Group's meetings are held in private. During the sessions, the Working Group reviews newly-submitted cases of enforced disappearances and information on previously accepted cases. In addition, the Working Group reviews general allegations, based on information from non-governmental organizations concerning reported obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

The Working Group meets, during the first three days of each session, with NGOs and family members of the disappeared, as well as with representatives of governments to exchange views and information on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances. Following each session, the Working Group informs Governments, in writing, of decisions taken with regard to disappearances in their country.

Annual reports

The WGEID reports annually to the Human Rights Council on its activities, where it lists its communications with governments and NGOs, its missions, all cases of disappearance received during the year, and examines the implementation of the 1992 Declaration. View all annual reports.

General allegations

The Working Group regularly transmits to States a summary of allegations received or gathered from States, reliable sources, such as relatives of disappeared persons, or credible non-governmental organizations with regard to obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration in any State, and requests the State to comment thereon if it so wishes.

As well as being available directly below, general allegations are also reflected in the post-sessional documents of the Working Group.