At the conclusion of the International Week of the Disappeared which ended on 29th May 2015, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) would like to pay a humble tribute to the families of the disappeared. We salute and commemorate their struggles, patience and courage for all that they have gone through over a period of last 25 years in bringing justice to their disappeared kins, for bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity to justice as well as to sustain a decent life. It is also important to bear in mind that the suffering of the families is not unidirectional, but it violates multiple rights encompassing their everyday life, which includes right to life, right to family life, right not to be subjected to torture or any other form of ill-treatment.
APDP has been fighting against Enforced Disappearances from 1994 ever since its inception. While this movement continues to grow stronger by the day, the State Government and the Government at the Centre still denies recognizing Enforced Disappearance as a crime. Criminal investigations hardly take place. In the name of probe through the Executive Magistrate (and also the subordinates) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), government seeks to temporarily diffuse the simmering emotions of the people under the rhetoric of normalcy. The probes that are conducted are fallacious which in most of the cases ostensibly does not determine the culpability of the offense committed. In cases where criminal investigations begin, it is halted in all the cases because of denial for sanction of prosecution by the Centre. These ineffective legal remedies also lead to violation of justice with no acknowledgment on part of the state of committing such offenses and giving stifling money in the form of ex-gratia relief which is not even commensurate with the injustice inflicted on the families of the disappeared. We once again here take the opportunity to demand to the Governments to implement the UPR-2 recommendations, set up an independent judicial commission to investigate these crimes and ratify the international convention against Enforced Disappearances.
Our struggle continues and we continue to support victims of Enforced Disappearances who have suffered irreparable loss in every sphere of life. In solidarity with the families of Enforced Disappearances, APDP would like to once again extend heartfelt gratitude to the families for their indomitable strength, courage and for keeping the movement alive.
Parveena Ahangar
Chairperson,
Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP)
Near Al-Ameen Hospital, Hyderpora.