On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the United States stands with all victims of enforced disappearance and calls upon perpetrators to cease this practice and return victims to their families.

Enforced disappearance is a severe human rights violation that subjects victims to indeterminate detention or disappearance, often targeting individuals for their dissent or advocacy for human rights and democracy. Families of those forcibly disappeared suffer immensely, uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. The agony inflicted on both victims and their families is profound.

The day serves as a reminder of victims worldwide, including in the People’s Republic of China, where members of religious and ethnic minority groups, lawyers, activists, and others are targeted; in Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine, where thousands have been disappeared or held incommunicado by Russian authorities; and in Syria, where over 110,000 persons remain forcibly disappeared or arbitrarily detained. The United States urges governments globally to end this practice, hold perpetrators accountable, and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.