GENEVA - The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will hold its 140th session from 14 to 23 September 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, and examine 518 cases from 44 countries, as well as six cases concerning acts tantamount to enforced disappearance perpetrated by non-state actors.
The independent experts will meet with relatives of forcibly disappeared persons, State representatives, civil society groups and other stakeholders to exchange information on individual cases and structural issues and challenges related to enforced disappearances.
During the session, the experts will also examine allegations received regarding obstacles to the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, such as legislation, practices, or systemic failures to address cases of enforced disappearance and related acts.
The Working Group will also discuss internal matters and upcoming activities. These include its ongoing technical cooperation and assistance projects, upcoming country visits, as well as reports on enforced disappearances and militarisation and the country visit to Guatemala in June 2026, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2027.
The session of the Working Group will coincide with the presentation of its annual report and its thematic report on enforced disappearances and memorialization to the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council on 14 September 2026. The Chair will also present on behalf of the Working Group the follow-up report to the recommendations made during its country visit to Uruguay in 2022. Following the interactive dialogue, on 15 September 2026, the Working Group will host a side-event on the thematic topic, Enforced Disappearance and Memorialization, from 15h00 to 16h00, in Room VIII, Building A at the Palais des Nations. The Working Group welcomes States, civil society organisations and interested parties to join the discussion of its report.
Further to the decision made by the Working Group during its 139th session, Ms. Grażyna Baranowska (Poland) and Ms. Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez (Mexico), will take up their functions as Chair-Rapporteur and Vice-Chair of the Working Group, respectively, from 14 September 2026 and for a one-year term.
The decisions made by the Working Group during the 140th session will be reflected in its next post-sessional report. Sessions are held in private.
