The UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances: Its Implications for South Africa and the Region

This conference was organised by Lawyers for Human Rights in collaboration with Aim for human rights. The objectives of the conference were threefold:

• to reflect on enforced disappearances as a human rights concern in South Africa and Southern Africa;
• to introduce the Convention and its mechanisms to selected governmental and non-governmental representatives from South Africa and the region; and
• to initiate a dialogue between the South African government and civil society on the importance and implications of ratifying this convention.

These objectives were mirrored in the conference agenda. The agenda included presentations about the Convention, the specific situation in South Africa and countries from the region and reflections on the Convention's impact in South Africa (including presentations from Government officilas about the road ahead).

Note from LHR Director
Conference Programme
Compilation of conference proceedings

Day 1: Tuesday 26 February 2008

• Welcome
• Keynote Address: The importance of the Convention and current status of the Convention in SA
• Expert Analysis of the Convention: Brief background & highlight of key areas
• Panel Discussion: the Convention within international law & regional impact
• Panel Discussion: Contextualising the phenomenon of disappearances

DAY 2: Wednesday 27 February 2008

• Panel Discussion: Placing the Convention vis-à-vis the Constitution, extradition and deportation
• Panel Discussion: Challenges and Shortcomings of the Convention
• Discussion: Where to from here?
• Government timelines, commitments and continuation of dialogue
• Report Back from Parallel Session with Regional Organisations
• Vote of Thanks & Closure
  

Annexure A: Presentation by the Argentine Ambassador in South Africa
Annexure B: Presentation of the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development
Annexure C: List of conference participants and presenters