-—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—-
(NEW YORK, NY, August 30, 2014) – The Islamic Circle of North America joins the United Nations in observing the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to raise awareness of this terrible practice used as a strategy to spread terror in society.
Enforced disappearances are a crime and illicit feelings of insecurity and fear not only among the families of the afflicted, but in entire communities. They are used as a means of political repression by states, and are an absolute violation of human rights.
Unfortunately enforced disappearances have become a frequently used tactic around the world to silence dissent.
“Enforced disappearance is an abhorrent action,” says Naeem Baig, president of ICNA. “It is a gross injustice for anyone to be kept in secret prisons and deprived of fair and just treatment.”
States must provide transparent accounts of all individuals who have been disappeared and follow the rule of law.
