DHR: Press Release International week of the Disappeared

23rd- 31st May 2022

The last week of May, families of the disappeared and human rights activists around the world join hands in the activities to commemorate International Week of the Disappeared (IWD). Defence of Human Rights (DHR) too organised a number of activities. This week is observed to show solidarity with the victim families of enforced disappearances. Most of the families have been struggling to find the truth and justice for decades now. This week shall be a reminder for all those families that they do not stand alone in this struggle to find their disappeared loved-ones.

Families of the Disappeared (FoD): Press Release, International Week of the Disappeared

Press release International Week of the Disappeared

• Last week of the month of May is annually commemorated worldwide as the International Week of The Disappeared (IWD). • This commemoration was started by the United Federation of the Disappeared and the Prisoners in Latin American countries (FEDEFAM) in 1981, and this IWD week is celebrated in many countries around the world, now. • The Families of the Disappeared (FoD) celebrate the IWD hand in hand with the “Asian Federation against involuntary Disappearances” (AFAD) in which FoD is also a member with other 8 Asian Countries which includes various activities with the involvement of the family members of the disappeared. • As the Families of the Disappeared (FoD) we will:

BANGLADESH: Government must stop enforced disappearances and ensure right to truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence

A Joint Statement by the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Maayer Daak, and Odhikar on the occasion of International Week of the Disappeared 2022

Dhaka/Manila/Paris, 23 May 2022: On the occasion of the International Week of the Disappeared, the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Maayer Daak, and Odhikar remember and pay homage to victims of enforced disappearance and stand in solidarity with the families of the disappeared.

AFAD condemns the prolonged incarceration of its Chairperson, Khurram Parvez.

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) expresses serious concern over the widespread choking of freedoms of expression and association in Jammu & Kashmir that led to the prolonged incarceration of Khurram Parvez who completes 180 days in jail today.