International Convention against Disappearances: Imminent entry into force

In the last weeks interesting and positive advancements have taken place in the status of ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons Against Enforced Disappearances.

In Colombia the Congress has passed the ratification and it is only waiting to be signed by the president and deposit the ratification instrument to the General Secretary of the United Nations. These steps could still take a few weeks to be completed. 

In the case of the Netherlands, yesterday the First Chamber (Senate) approved the ratification of this treaty. This step followed the decision (without a vote) taken by the Second Chamber (Parliament) on 7th October.  

 
More information on this can be found at this link (Dutch):

www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorste/32251_goedkeuring_verdrag_over_de

Two formalities remain for the Dutch ratification to be completed:  the publication of the law in the official State Journal and the presentation of the ratification instruments to the Secretary General of the United Nations

The Dutch ratification would carry not only the symbolic significance of the the 20th ratification, but the Netherlands have also anticipated on the implementation of certain obligations. The Netherlands did not introduce changes in the penal code, but amended the law on international crimes (the law implementing the Rome Statute), therewith offering an interesting model for other States that are parties to the Rome Statute and will ratify the convention against enforced disappearances