Professor Stephen Toope: Vice Chancellor, University of Cambridge
Politically Motivated Disappearances: Fighting Back
Prof Toope will discuss the history of international legal efforts to prevent and punish politically motived disappearances. He will focus attention on the role of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances which he used to Chair, arguing that its process, where there are no decisions to blame and no forceful sanctions, can produce results. The Working Group is one of the practical success stories of the UN human rights regime because it is primarily focussed upon helping individuals and families. It is not concerned to score political points or even to punish wrong-doers. Prof Toope will discuss in detail a mission of the Working Group to Nepal.