UN Security Council Holds Briefing on Missing Persons in Armed Conflicts
NEW YORK (United Nations) – The UN Security Council is holding a briefing Thursday to assess the implementation of Resolution 2474, adopted on June 11, 2019, concerning missing persons in armed conflicts.
The session, requested by the United Kingdom and the United States, will feature presentations by Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari, as well as two representatives from civil society.
Drafted by Kuwait and adopted during its presidency of the Council, Resolution 2474 condemns the deliberate targeting of civilians in conflict and urges warring parties to take “all appropriate measures” to search for the missing, account for their fate, and enable the return of remains. The resolution also supports the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to access information and calls on conflict parties to cooperate with the ICRC and its Central Tracing Agency.
During his address, Khiari is expected to voice concern over the rising number of missing persons in conflicts and emphasize the need to end impunity for enforced disappearances and strengthen compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law.
