International Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance
Adopted and opened for signature and ratification by General Assembly
resolution 61/177 of 20 December 2006
Preamble
The States Parties to this Convention,
Considering the obligation of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote universal respect for,
and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights and the other relevant international instruments in the fields of human rights,
humanitarian law and international criminal law,
Also recalling the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance adopted by the
General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 47/133 of 18 December 1992,
Aware of the extreme seriousness of enforced disappearance, which constitutes a crime and, in certain
circumstances defined in international law, a crime against humanity,
Determined to prevent enforced disappearances and to combat impunity for the crime of enforced
disappearance,
Considering the right of any person not to be subjected to enforced disappearance, the right of victims to
justice and to reparation,
Affirming the right of any victim to know the truth about the circumstances of an enforced disappearance and
the fate of the disappeared person, and the right to freedom to seek, receive and impart information to this
end,
Have agreed on the following articles:
1