Sancturia

Recognizing that uncountable amounts of individuals disappear each year due to armed conflict, natural disasters, hazards encountered during migration, crime, and other circumstances,

Alarmed that widespread or systematic disappearances may indicate ethnic cleansing, genocide, crimes against humanity, or other large-scale violations of individual rights,

Concerned that gaps in national investigative procedures and recordkeeping can allow disappearances to go unrecognized as part of broader patterns, particularly when authorities lack the means or willingness to investigate them,

Acknowledging that the timely collection and exchange of information concerning missing persons can assist in locating individuals, identifying unidentified remains, and detecting evidence of mass crimes,

Affirming that accurate records concerning missing persons may assist in preventing the concealment, denial, or repetition of large-scale atrocities,

Hereby:

1. Defines a "missing person" as an individual whose whereabouts are unknown and whose disappearance has been reported or otherwise brought to the attention of a government or non-governmental organization with a humanitarian or security mission,

2. Requires member states to maintain records of reported missing persons, including,

   1. identifying information,

   2. the circumstances and approximate date and location of the disappearance,

   3. any information relevant to determining whether the disappearance may be connected to armed conflict, persecution, forced displacement, or other large-scale violence,

   4. updates regarding the status of the investigation,

   5. a readily accessible method for individuals to request the correction or removal of inaccurate information,

3. Mandates member states to establish procedures for identifying unusual patterns or substantial increases in reported disappearances, particularly where such disappearances:

   1. are concentrated within a particular geographic area,

   2. appear to disproportionately affect a particular ethnic, religious, cultural, national, gender identity or other identifiable characteristic,

   3. occur alongside armed conflict, forced displacement, mass violence, or systematic persecution,

4. Encourages member states to establish procedures for sharing relevant identifying information, including fingerprints, medical records, photographs, and DNA profiles when:

   1. the information has been lawfully collected,

   2. appropriate safeguards exist to protect personal privacy,

   3. the exchange is reasonably necessary to locate missing persons, identify unidentified remains, or investigate possible mass atrocities,

5. Calls upon member states to inform the relatives of a missing person when:

   1. the missing person is located,

   2. the missing person's remains are positively identified,

   3. authorities determine that the case has been conclusively resolved,

6. Urges member states to establish procedures allowing relatives of missing persons to submit relevant information to competent authorities and request information concerning the status of an investigation, subject to applicable privacy and security protections,

7. Recommends that member states in which a missing person is located establish procedures for ensuring the person's safe and secure transfer to their country of nationality or residence, where appropriate and with the consent of the individual, including through cooperation with relevant authorities and humanitarian organizations,

8. Promotes cooperation between member states in locating missing persons and identifying unidentified remains, including through the exchange of relevant information and assistance with cross-border investigations,

9. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution shall:

   1. require member states to disclose classified information,

   2. require member states to initiate an investigation in every case involving a reported missing person,

   3. require the collection or exchange of information unrelated to the purposes of this resolution.

Co-author: Fhaengshia