Goran Batic

[Sweden in Geneva @SwedenGeneva]

What are the human rights obligations of States towards missing persons and their families? Learning from the experiences of Syria and Ukraine at today’s #HRC side event. Thank you @TheICMP, co-organiser Costa Rica🇨🇷, and co-sponsors 🇳🇴🇫🇮🇭🇷

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Missing Persons: Human Rights During and After Armed Conflicts

Side event at the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

📅 24 March 2026
⏰ 12:00–13:00
📍 Palais des Nations, Geneva

This panel will examine States’ obligations toward missing persons and their families, focusing on legal frameworks, operational challenges, and good practices.

Organized by the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and Sweden and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), with the support of the co-sponsoring Permanent Missions of Norway and Finland.

#HumanRights #MissingPersons #UNHRC #Geneva #HumanRightsCouncil @UN @UNGeneva
@NorwayUN @FinlandUN @SwedenUN

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Today in Tuzla, a meeting was held as part of the project “Roma – Marginalized Victims II,” bringing together members of the Roma community to discuss the issue of missing persons from the 1992–1995 conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discussion focused on informing participants about the work of the Missing Persons Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). Elma Majstorić Ninković, ICMP Senior Program Officer for Civil Society Initiatives, presented ICMP’s work and highlighted the importance of collecting information on missing persons and the active participation of families of the missing in the process.

The project implemented by Kali Sara – Roma Information Center is a part of ICMP’s grant cycle supported by the @eubih

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Today, ICMP hosted a delegation from @MissingChildEU at its HQ in The Hague. Missing Children Europe briefed ICMP on its work with a particular focus on hotlines and training for parents. ICMP presented its global work, especially its engagement with families of the missing and civil society organizations and highlighted the critical role DNA identification plays in the process of accounting for missing persons. #ICMP #MissingPersons #MissingChildren #DNA #CivilSociety

[ICMP @TheICMP]

ICMP welcomed Bangladeshi human rights activist Sanjida Islam Tulee to HQ this week. Sanjida has been shortlisted for the Human Rights Tulip 2025, one of the @DutchMFA's most prestigious international awards recognizing those advancing human rights worldwide.

As the founder of Maayer Daak (Mother’s Call), a platform representing families of victims of enforced disappearances, she has been a leading voice for truth and accountability since her brother was abducted in 2013. Her nomination underscores more than a decade of dedicated work documenting cases, supporting families, and advocating for justice in Bangladesh.

During her visit, Sanjida also learned about ICMP’s activities and toured our DNA laboratories.

#HumanRights #Bangladesh #EnforcedDisappearances #MaayerDaak #SanjidaIslamTulee #HumanRightsTulip #Accountability #JusticeMatters #CivilSociety #ICMP #HumanRightsDefenders #TruthAndJustice

@ministerBZ

[ICMP @TheICMP]

One year ago, the fall of the Assad regime created the opportunity to pursue truth and accountability for hundreds of thousands of people who are missing in Syria. For families who have endured years of uncertainty, this past year has offered hope.

Syria has a historic opportunity to build a future grounded in truth, justice, and human dignity. Families of the missing have the right to reliable answers and meaningful accountability. ICMP supports the NCMP and Syrian institutions as they establish a transparent, professional, and sustainable process to find the missing.

Statement by ICMP Director-General. For more info, read here: https://t.co/5RbBwAQ7AB

#ICMP #Syria #humanrights #missingpersons #ruleoflaw @SyrMissing

[ICMP @TheICMP]

ICMP held a roundtable #today in #Erbil bringing together Iraqi governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and families of the missing to review progress and strengthen cooperation on the missing persons process in Iraq.

During the event, ICMP launched the Guide to Accessing Rights for Families of Missing Persons in Iraq, supporting families understand their rights; it outlines the steps that are available to families through the missing person process and explains how they can follow up on cases with the relevant state authorities.

This roundtable was made possible with the generous support of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/uYaZahPZ0A

@AuswaertigesAmt
@almaniadiplo
@AA_stabilisiert
@GermanyinNL

#ICMP #MissingPersons #Iraq #HumanRights #Germany

[ICMP @TheICMP]

#Ukraine has made remarkable progress in establishing an effective #missing_persons system and can develop this system further by learning from the experience of other countries, participants at a conference organized in #Warsaw this week by the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) were told. The two-day conference, which ended today, brought together senior government representatives and civil society organizations from Ukraine and representatives of missing persons institutions and associations of families of the #missing from countries of the former Yugoslavia for a program of structured and detailed discussion.

Fore more information: https://t.co/cS9gNWuULP

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Today, at its Headquarters in The Hague, ICMP hosted a meeting of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) #DNA Working Group Steering Committee. During the meeting, ICMP briefed participants on its proposal for a Standing Capacity for #Crisis Response (SCCR). The SCCR will enable ICMP to deploy quickly and efficiently in crisis situations, in line with best practice and rule-of-law principles.

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Digital violence is rising, and for many women and girls, it increases the risk of going missing. During #16DaysOfActivism, we highlight how online harassment and data abuse can endanger women who are seeking truth and justice for their missing loved ones.

✅ Preventative measures saves lives.
✅ Digital safety protects survivors.
✅ Safe online = safe to locate.

#OrangeForTheMissing #OrangeTheWorld #EndGBV

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Today, #ICMP and the Syrian National Commission for #Missing Persons (NCMP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Leiden University in The Hague, marking a significant step toward a Syrian-led, sustainable process to account for all missing persons in #Syria. The agreement frameworks the operational support that ICMP will endeavor to provide to the NCMP, including support in enhancing Syria’s legislative framework to secure the rights of families of the missing, and building Syria’s scientific and technical capacities to locate, recover and identify #missing_persons, and its capacities to conduct judicial investigations into missing persons cases. The event was held in partnership with Leiden University and funded by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

for more information: https://t.co/3P5HmpboV4

@AuswaertigesAmt
@almaniadiplo
@AA_stabilisiert
@GERonSyria
@GermanyinNL
@SyrMissing

[ICMP @TheICMP]

📢 Call for Project Proposals – ICMP Small Grants Program

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) invites associations of families of the missing and civil society organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to submit project proposals under the Small Grants Program for 2025–2026 supported by Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Projects should promote active participation of families of the missing, strengthen cooperation between families, civil society, and institutions, and support transparency and accountability in addressing missing persons issues.

💡 Grants for events up to 1,000 EUR
💡 Grants for projects up to 2,500 EUR

🗓 Deadline for submission: 15 December 2025
📄 Application forms: https://t.co/yII4KJQ89S

📢 Poziv za projektne prijedloge – ICMP Program malih grantova

Međunarodna komisija za nestale osobe (ICMP) poziva udruženja porodica nestalih i organizacije civilnog društva u Bosni i Hercegovini da dostave projektne prijedloge u okviru Programa malih grantova za 2025–2026, koji podržava Ambasada Švicarske u Bosni i Hercegovini.

Projekti trebaju poticati aktivno učešće porodica nestalih, jačati saradnju između porodica, civilnog društva i institucija, te unaprijediti transparentnost i odgovornost u rješavanju pitanja nestalih osoba.

💡 Grantovi za događaje do 1.000 EUR
💡 Grantovi za projekte do 2.500 EUR

🗓 Rok za dostavu prijava: 15. decembar 2025.
📄 Obrasci za prijavu: https://t.co/okdGXUmbTi

#ICMP #SmallGrants #CivilSociety #FamiliesOfTheMissing #WesternBalkans

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Last week, colleagues from the ICMP DNA Laboratories team attended the 10th Annual Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center Symposium at the CWI Congress Centre, Amsterdam Science Park. Keynote speaker Prof. Shari Forbes shared groundbreaking insights into forensic human taphonomy. ICMP colleagues Lisa Vangeel and Bas van Haperen presented their application of Next Generation DNA Sequencing in missing persons investigations. It was a great day of learning, networking, and advancing forensic science!

#DNA #ICMP #Forsensics #missingpersons

[ICMP @TheICMP]

From October 5–9, a delegation from the Syrian National Commission for Missing Persons (NCMP), led by Dr. Mohammad Reda Jalkhi, visited Bosnia and Herzegovina. This important work visit, supported by ICMP and funded by @EUinSyria, enabled participants to learn from Bosnia’s experience in locating and identifying missing persons. During the visit, the NCMP team met with key institutions including the Missing Persons Institute (MPI), the War Crimes Prosecutor, civil society groups, and families of the missing. At ICMP, they were briefed on DNA-led identification techniques, database technology and data sharing, as well as programs to support families of the missing.

A moving part of the trip was the visit to the Potocari Memorial Center and Museum, dedicated to the victims of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide, and the meeting with the Mothers of Srebrenica. Together, these exchanges strengthen efforts to bring answers and justice to families of the missing in Syria and around the world.

#ICMP #EuropeanUnion #NCMP #Syria #BosniaAndHerzegovina #Srebrenica #PotocariMemorial #MothersOfSrebrenica #MissingPersons #TransitionalJustice #HumanRights #ForensicScience #DNAIdentification #FamiliesOfTheMissing #Justice #Accountability #InternationalCooperation #Peacebuilding #RuleOfLaw

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Ten years ago this week, ICMP established its international Headquarters in The Hague, through a Host State Agreement with the Netherlands. Today we celebrate a decade of fruitful collaboration that has enabled ICMP to strengthen its global mandate to locate persons who are missing as a result of conflict, disasters, migration, human rights abuses, and other causes.

As a key strategic partner, the Netherlands continues to support ICMP’s core functions and country programs.

#ICMP #10Years #Partnership #TheHague #GlobalImpact #missingpersons #NL @DutchMFA

[ICMP @TheICMP]

ICMP’s Small Grants Program empowers civil society organizations and associations of families of the missing to take action in their search for truth and justice.

Through these grants, partners have:
- Strengthened advocacy and built vital support networks
- Enhanced cooperation with government institutions
- Provided legal and commemoration activities to families of the missing

#ICMP #Smallgrants #Justice #HumanRights #FamiliesOfTheMissing #CSO

[ICMP @TheICMP]

On the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, Hanadi Alloush from our partner organization Damma speaks to the @EUinSyria about the issue of missing persons in #Syria. Watch the video in Arabic to learn more. #IDOD #IDOD2025 #Standwiththefamilies #humanrights #justice #RuleOfLaw

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Follow the Expert Panel Discussion on #MissingPersons and #Accountability - Supporting #Ukraine in Large-Scale Missing Persons Investigations online here: https://t.co/resiKvGSfI

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Director for Crisis Prevention and Stabilization at @GermanyMFA, @AnkaFeldhusen emphasized: ‘A lasting settlement of the war in Ukraine cannot be built by setting justice aside. History shows this only breeds resentment and future conflict. A durable peace must be built on #justice.’

@GermanyDiplo #Ukraine #Accountability #JusticeForUkraine #InternationalLaw #GermanForeignOffice

[ICMP @TheICMP]

Join Us this week for an Expert Panel Discussion: “The Missing and Accountability”
- Thursday, 19 June 2025
- Start Time: (CET)
- Location: The Hague, The Netherlands
- Livestream: https://t.co/VEMgEtzk9C

This event will focus on supporting large-scale investigations into missing persons cases in #Ukraine, a task that is vital for securing truth and #justice, and honoring the memory of victims.

Leading Ukrainian and international experts, government representatives, and #humanrights advocates will examine ways of establishing the fate of #missingpersons and holding perpetrators accountable.

- Please note: In-person participation requires prior registration. If interested, please reach out to: [email protected]