On the International Day of the Disappeared, 30 August, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called our attention to a deeply-human crisis that persists in Sri Lanka, despite the passing of time and the hope for resolution.
This reminder, coupled with the peaceful protest by the Unity of Families of Missing Persons on Thursday (31 August), serves as a stark wake-up call. It is a call to action, urging us to acknowledge the plight of those who continue to live in the shadows of uncertainty and to demand answers and justice for those who have disappeared.
In Sri Lanka, the issue of missing persons is a heartbreaking reality that transcends ethnicity, community, and time. The ICRC’s message reminds us that families across the country are still grappling with the painful ambiguity of not knowing what has happened to their loved ones. The disappeared individuals were not just numbers; they were fathers, mothers, siblings, and breadwinners and their absence has left a void that cannot be filled.
A recent report, titled ‘Mass Graves in Sri Lanka: History and Legal Framework,’ authored by Sophie Bisping, sheds light on a troubling discovery. Between the years 1992 and 2022, a total of 32 mass grave sites have been identified in Sri Lanka. However, it is disheartening to note that only seven of these sites have undergone excavation thus far. Among the excavated sites are those located in Sooriyakanda, Chemmani, Jaffna, Matale, Kalavanchikudy, as well as two sites in Mannar.
Sri Lanka is sadly renowned for having the world’s second-highest number of cases registered with the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. Shockingly, it is estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 people have suffered the harrowing experience of enforced disappearances since the commencement of the war in 1983.
The pain of enforced disappearances is an indescribable anguish that transcends words. It is a wound that festers deep within the hearts and minds of families who have been thrust into a nightmarish journey of uncertainty, fear, and despair.
The pain is not just emotional; it’s economic, social and psychological. The disappeared often play vital roles in their families, serving as breadwinners, caregivers and emotional pillars. Their absence leaves a gaping void that cannot be filled. Families are left to grapple with financial instability, legal complications and the stigma associated with having a missing relative.
The pain extends to the broader community and society as well. Enforced disappearances undermine trust in institutions, erode the rule of law and breed a culture of fear. They perpetuate a cycle of violence and impunity that reverberates through generations.
International humanitarian law is clear on this matter: people have the right to know what happened to their missing relatives, and authorities have an obligation to provide information and assist in ascertaining the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. This is not just a legal mandate; it’s a moral imperative that transcends borders.
The search for missing persons should be continuous and their families deserve individualised answers. Strengthening national frameworks, improving medico -legal processes and enhancing mechanisms dedicated to establishing the fate and whereabouts of missing persons are crucial steps in this journey. Equally important is the collection and processing of information on missing persons and related events, as well as sites containing human remains or possible remains.
As we reflect on the International Day of the Disappeared, let us not forget that behind every statistic, every protest, and every call for justice, there are individuals with stories that deserve to be heard. Let us honour the memory of those who have disappeared by redoubling our efforts to uncover the truth, provide answers and ensure that the families left behind can finally find closure and live in dignity.
As September has dawned, let it be a reminder that the search for answers and justice for the disappeared in Sri Lanka should never end until every family finds the closure and solace they so desperately seek.