Related Resources
Missing Persons - A hidden tragedy view details >>
The Missing - brochure view details >>
The Missing and their families: documents of reference view details >>
The Missing: ICRC progress report view details >>
Women and the Missing: the burden of those left behind view details >>
The missing and transitional justice: the right to know and the fight against impunity view details >>
Visits
- ICRC
In international armed conflicts the ICRC (International Red Cross and Red Crescent) has the right to visit prisoners of war and civilians deprived of their freedom in their places of detention and to interview them privately.
In non-international armed conflicts, parties are encouraged to accept the ICRC offer to make such visit. Once a detainee is visited, the family of the detainee will be informed. In this instance the detainee will no longer be considered as missing, and they have a better chance of not going missing later.
During the interview in private, ICRC delegates systematically enquire whether there are co-detainees to whom they have no access or about whom they have no information. When appropriate they will also collect allegations of joint capture or joint arrest. On basis of such information they can subsequently ask the parties about the fate or other persons who have fallen into power.
Confidentiality
- ICRC
The ICRC is bound by a strict confidentiality rule. This means an essential feature is that ICRC officials and employees do no testify about matters which come to their attention in the course of performing their functions.
Tracing Request
When an enquirer has been unable to resume contact with a close relative through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Family News Network, the ICRC compiles a tracing request with as many details as possible about the missing person and the circumstances of this or her disappearance. This information is then cross-checked with the ICRC databases, If they contain no information, two methods are used:
- IRCR staff start an enquiry in the field.
- Alternatively or in addition to the first one, the requests are submitted to the responsible authorities.
The ICRC regularly follows up and transmits to the enquirer any information it obtains from officials or private sources, as long as that information is considered reliable. Further, the ICRC distributes messages from the family, and locates addresses of those who have fled.
- ICRC