Event information

8 May 2023, 18:45-20:15
Register start 4 April 2023
Register end 8 May 2023

Downloads

Flyer >

Hidden Horrors of Armed Conflicts: Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Migrants

Geneva Academy Talks

Syrian Refugees leave a blanket distribution center in Mafraq, Jordan. Syrian Refugees leave a blanket distribution center in Mafraq, Jordan.

Forced displacement and migration are one of the many devastating consequences of armed conflicts. Conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Ukraine, the Republic Democratic of the Congo and Syria, among others, have caused the displacement of thousands of people and many took the road to flee the violence and to seek refuge in other countries.

The migration route is, however, often paved with dangers – threats posed by organized crime, sea and desert crossing – and those fleeing armed conflicts are frequently at risk of going missing or being subjected to enforced disappearance. In this context, families’ efforts to find out what happened to their loved ones might turn out to be particularly challenging.

This IHL Talk will address – from a legal and policy perspective – the various humanitarian implications regarding the missing and forcibly disappeared migrants fleeing armed conflicts, including the search for the disappeared and assistance to families, paths to pursue accountability, as well as policies to address the issue of missing and forcibly disappeared migrants.

Panelists will address the following questions in particular:

  • Concerning the call made by the United Nations Secretary-General to establish a new mechanism for the missing in Syria, and provided it encompasses a special task force for migrants, what lessons from other contexts could be drawn on?
  • What are the options to hold accountable states, individuals and other actors regarding missing and forcibly disappeared migrants fleeing armed conflicts?
  • How to organize structured, well-planned and families-inclusive national, regional and international policies addressing the issue of missing and forcibly disappeared migrants fleeing armed conflicts, and what role can international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross play in this regard?

Moderation

  •  Ana Srovin Coralli, Teaching Assistant, Geneva Academy

Panelists

  • Grażyna Baranowska, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Hertie Law School in Berlin and Member of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
  • Gabriella Citroni, Adjunct Professor of International Human Rights Law, University of Milano-Bicocca, Faculty member at the Geneva Academy and Member of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
  • Florian van König, Global Advocacy Lead, Central Tracing Agency, International Committee of the Red Cross

About IHL Talks

The IHL Talks are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Academic experts, practitioners, policymakers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

Video

Hidden Horrors of Armed Conflicts: Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Migrants

Forced displacement and migration are one of the many devastating consequences of armed conflicts. Conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Ukraine, DRC and Syria, among others, have caused the displacement of thousands of people and many took the road to flee the violence and to seek refuge in other countries.

This IHL Talk addressed – from a legal and policy perspective – the various humanitarian implications regarding the missing and forcibly disappeared migrants fleeing armed conflicts, including the search for the disappeared and assistance to families, paths to pursue #accountability, as well as policies to address the issue of missing and forcibly disappeared migrants.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurodata graphics News

New Research Brief Evaluates the Effectiveness of GDPR in Mitigating Risks Associated with the Distinctive Nature of Neurodata

21 January 2025

Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.

Read more

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

22 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

War on Minorities’ Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

published on December 2024

Beatrice Meretti

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Navigating Pathways Toward Transitional Justice in Ukraine

published on October 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Namdol Sherpa

Read more