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One of the least-discussed yet deeply tragic issues affecting people across the globe is that of missing persons. These personal misfortunes can arise from armed conflicts, natural disasters and migration, as well as from accidents, crime, mental health struggles and personal crises. They impact not only those who disappear but, equally, their families and friends, who are left in a state of agonizing uncertainty. They wait desperately for news, hoping to learn whether their loved ones are safe, in need of help, detained or injured. Even in the worst-case scenario, confirmation of death would at least offer solace in bringing closure and allow families the dignity of grieving.
In some cases, people vanish without a trace and the truth about what happened to them may never be known. This phenomenon is not limited to combatants in war; it affects civilians just as profoundly. However, in many instances, there are individuals or authorities who do know the fate of the missing, whether they are alive, injured, dead or in captivity, but choose to conceal this information. Sometimes this concealment is deliberate, at other times, it may result from fear, political pressure or systemic failure. Yet, in the 21st century, it is deeply troubling that people can still disappear without explanation, leaving their families in prolonged anguish.
A moving event held last week at the Swiss Embassy in London, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, brought together art, personal testimony and policy experts to shed light on this issue. The event highlighted not only the emotional toll of disappearance but also the ways in which effective and proactive policies could help resolve many cases. Among the speakers was Rima Yaseen Al-Khayat, who shared the heartbreaking story of her brother and cousin, both of whom went missing during the war in Syria.
It is deeply troubling that people can still disappear without explanation, leaving their families in prolonged anguish
Yossi Mekelberg
Rima recounted the moment her life changed forever. Amid a raging conflict, her phone rang. On the other end was her terrified mother informing her that her brother had been taken away. She described the impact of that moment: “It was like a fire that caught my whole family alight: his wife, his two daughters, me. Where did they take him? Is he still alive? When will he come back?” Despite submitting a tracing request through the British Red Cross in the hope of receiving information, the family remains in limbo. As time passes, the faint hope of finding their loved ones alive continues to fade.
Rima’s story represents just one family’s suffering, yet it reflects a much broader reality. Countless families endure similar heartbreak, uncertain whether they will ever see their loved ones again or have the chance to say a proper goodbye. The situation is made even more painful when disappearances result from criminal acts carried out with impunity. In many cases, those responsible face no consequences and those who possess critical information choose not to share it, whether to protect themselves or others. As a result, families are denied even the most basic knowledge about the fate of their relatives.
At the same time, the number of missing persons continues to rise. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the number of people registered as missing worldwide as of the end of 2024 was 284,400, up nearly 70 percent from five years earlier. This underscores the growing scale of the problem and the urgent need for action.
In the war in Ukraine, for example, it is estimated that nearly 20,000 children have been unlawfully transferred to Russia or Belarus. In many cases, their parents and guardians remain unaware of their whereabouts. Across parts of Africa, the number of missing persons is also steadily increasing, with approximately 71,000 cases reported last year alone, largely due to protracted armed conflicts.
Migration routes present another major dimension of this crisis. The International Organization for Migration reports that, since 2014, more than 83,000 migrants have gone missing. Many disappeared when boats sank at sea or while attempting to cross dangerous borders. Others may have fallen victim to exploitation by smugglers or traffickers. In such cases, there is little incentive for those involved, whether criminal networks or complicit officials, to disclose information that could implicate them.
States and nonstate actors are obligated to investigate such cases and bring those responsible to justice
Yossi Mekelberg
The moral and humanitarian imperative to resolve the fate of missing persons is clear. Only those with something to hide would dispute the importance of this effort. Beyond the moral argument, there is also a firm legal obligation under international humanitarian law. All parties to armed conflict, both states and nonstate actors, are required to take concrete steps to prevent disappearances, search for missing persons and share all relevant information with families. As on other issues, a lack of enforcement allows these travesties to happen.
Moreover, the UN International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted in 2006, stresses the seriousness of this issue, defining enforced disappearance as a crime and, in certain circumstances, as a crime against humanity. States and nonstate actors are obligated to investigate such cases and bring those responsible to justice.
It is important to acknowledge that there are also success stories. Each year, thousands of cases are resolved through the efforts of international organizations, as well as local nongovernmental organizations. These efforts help restore contact, trace missing individuals and reunite families. While these successes offer hope, they represent only a fraction of the total number of unresolved cases.
There is growing consensus that improving the situation will require stronger multilateral cooperation among states, international organizations and their agencies, along with greater respect for international law. Initiatives such as the Global Initiative to Galvanize Commitment to International Humanitarian Law, launched in 2024 and now supported by more than 100 countries, represent important steps forward.
In addition, scientific and technological advances are playing an increasingly vital role. Breakthroughs in forensic science and DNA analysis have made it possible to identify remains and provide answers for families. Meanwhile, the rapid development of digital technologies, such as social media analysis, geospatial imagery and data archives, combined with predictive analytics, has enhanced the ability to trace missing individuals and uncover hidden information.
For families of disappeared persons, even the smallest piece of information can mean everything. As one father from the South Caucasus expressed in an International Committee of the Red Cross needs assessment report: “The most difficult thing to overcome is this constant state of nervousness that does not leave you, that at any moment, he could be knocking on the door. During the night, I listen for every sound and each time I hear a small noise, the first thing that comes to my mind is that my son is back.” It is wrong to remain apathetic in face of such profound pain.
- Yossi Mekelberg is professor of international relations and an associate fellow of the MENA Program at Chatham House.
X: @YMekelberg