The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) will hold its 29th session from 22 September to 2 October to assess how Montenegro, Benin, and Sri Lanka are implementing their obligations under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The session will open with a public meeting that includes a tribute to victims of enforced disappearance, featuring a video from the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances held earlier this year in Geneva. As parties to the Convention, the three countries must undergo regular reviews by the Committee’s 10 independent experts to examine their progress and address concerns.
Delegations from Montenegro, Benin, and Sri Lanka will engage in public dialogues at the Palais Wilson in Geneva, with discussions scheduled for 22 September (Montenegro), 23–24 September (Benin), and 26 September (Sri Lanka). These meetings will be open to accredited media and streamed live on UN Web TV.
During the session, the Committee will also adopt its periodic report on urgent actions, highlighting a sharp rise in cases of enforced disappearance. Over the past five years, registered urgent actions have increased by about 120%, rising from 969 to 2,132, including 144 new cases since the last session. The Committee will continue work on its forthcoming General Comment providing guidance on the Convention’s application to women and girls and will review information received under Article 34 concerning Mexico.
This session underscores growing global concern over enforced disappearances and the need for stronger international safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals and hold states accountable.
