Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances

AFAD FOURTH
CONGRESS
1-5 June 2010

AFAD Second Congress

Remembering Munir

AFAD Second Congress
August 26-30, 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand

AFAD’s Mid-Year Report

Ding Zilin's
Message To
Hong Kong

Again, The KONTRAS – IKOHI Office Was Attacked

“ If they are dead, tell us”!

My sons, where are they?

International Women’s Day Statement
March 8, 2010

End Enforced Disappearances, Stop Sufferings

Women’s rights are being violated around the world in different ways. One of the many ways of violating their rights is through enforced disappearance. This heinous crime brings havoc to the lives not only of the victims but also of women and children who are the ones mostly left behind.

Women who have lost a son, father or even mother, or husband who involuntarily disappeared without a trace often bear the greatest burden. Many of them live in limbo - between hope and despair. With the not-so-remote possibility that their loved ones might have been killed, there is still a thread of hope that they may still be alive. Even after many years that have passed, they refuse to believe that their loved ones are dead unless they find their remains. They are continuously being deprived of their duty to bury or cremate them and mourn properly. All these difficulties are exacerbated by the fact that the disappearance engenders economic hardship and insecurity that stem from not knowing the fate of the victims whereby unexpected conditions force women to take steps and responsibilities that traditionally did not form part of her role in society. They are usually left destitute - ill prepared and hardly capable of raising their children without a family man. Some have acquired the title of “half-widows” who are left without any entitlement to land, homes, inheritance, social assistance and pensions. Others are denied of their right to remarry. It is even worse when women are victims of disappearance themselves as they are particularly vulnerable to sexual and other forms of violence.

Nevertheless, women are not passive pawns in men's game. There are those who have been able to transcend themselves from being mere victims to human rights defenders by transforming their grief and fear into courage to seek justice not just for their disappeared loved ones but for all other victims of injustice and violence as well. In their efforts to know the truth, they leave no stone unturned nor trees unblessed. But they have to pay a heavy toll for their cause as they are constant targets of harassment, threats and intimidations. Despite this, they never cower nor succumb to fear for they know that they can make a difference.

As the world commemorates the International Women’s Day, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) joins hand with all human rights defenders and families of the disappeared in various continents in recognizing the role and contribution of women in the struggle against enforced disappearance.

It is through the efforts of women family members of the disappeared to make their situation known to the world, among other factors, that made possible the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. To date, it only needs two more ratifications for it to enter into force. When that happens, the Convention will be an effective tool to help strengthen governments' capacities to eradicate disappearances, punish the perpetrators and provide justice and redress to victims and their families.

We therefore, urge once again all governments which have not signed or ratified the Convention to do so as soon as possible, codify it into a law and ensure its full implementation.

We believe that the impact of disappearances is felt not only by the direct victims, but by families, communities and the whole of society. By transforming society and ending enforced disappearance and other forms of human rights violations, women will not have to suffer any longer and that everyone can live a life with dignity.

Signed and authenticated by:

MUGIYANTO MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO

Chairperson Secretary-General