1. 28.02.20031 The Missing Persons Project and the Conference

2. 28.02.20032 The ICRC Process An Internal Objective:  To establish operational guide-lines on the missing issues:  by reviewing all working methods at the political and field level

3. 28.02.20033 The ICRC Process Several External Objectives:  To review all methods to prevent disappearances in conflict and respond to the needs of families that have lost contact with their loved ones

4. 28.02.20034 The ICRC Process Several External Objectives:  To agree upon common recommendations and operational practices  To raise this concern to a higher level on the agendas of government authorities, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations.

5. 28.02.20035 Process Organization  First Stage (02-09.2002)  3 external studies  2 electronic workshops  6 workshops  Second Stage  Conference of governmental and non governmental experts 19-21 February 2003

6. 28.02.20036 Topics addressed at the Conference  The Missing: Persons whose families are without news of them, and/or Who are reported missing on the basis of reliable information Owing to armed conflict or internal violence

7. 28.02.20037 Topics addressed at the Conference  Families needs :  be considered as victims  the right to know  accountability and acknowledgment to be recognized

8. 28.02.20038 Families specific needs  Particular attention must be paid to single heads of families and children whose parents are both missing  Assistance shall aim at self-sufficiency  Psychological support shall be provided  Independent family network and associations should be encouraged

9. 28.02.20039 Responsibilities  of States for prevention and for clarification of the fate of persons unaccounted for  of Armed groups based on treaty and customary law  of IO and NGOs to promote awareness, give support and act as facilitators

10. 28.02.200310 Prevention  Ratifying and adhering to treaties  Implementing the treaties’ provisions into domestic law  Teaching the rules contained in these treaties  Enforcing and respecting the treaties’ provisions

11. 28.02.200311 Information management  Compilation of comprehensive files on an impartial basis  Coordination between actors (working methods and processing procedure)  Centralization of information  Legal rules governing the protection of personal data must be respected  Information should be shared without endangering victims or the sources of the information

12. 28.02.200312 Information on the dead  Information on the dead = reduction of the number of missing  Despoliation & desecration of the dead are crimes under international law  Authorities bear the primary responsibility

13. 28.02.200313 Outcome of the Conference  Observations and Recommendations adopted by consensus: Binding / non binding  Implementation of best operational practices within and among actors involved in the field  Participants pledged to raise the issue of Missing persons in other fora

14. 28.02.200314 Outcome of the Conference  The most outstanding feature debate has been the diversity of its participants  The reality of the suffering of families has been recognized  The law as a means to help alleviate suffering has been presented as a tool  Historical step for the search of solutions