What We Do
ICMP works
- To ensure the cooperation of governments and others in addressing the issue of missing persons, including provisions to build institutional capacity, encourage public involvement and address the needs of justice.
- To provide scientific and technical assistance to governments in locating, recovering, and identifying missing persons.
These activities are implemented by ICMP through the application of specific thematic competencies including:
ICMP programs are designed to assist states in their efforts to meet their obligations regarding missing and disappeared persons in the following areas:
Human rights
In many parts of the world, persons going and remaining missing are both a consequence and a cause of failures by public institutions to uphold the rule of law. ICMP seeks to strengthen the capacities of authorities to protect human rights.
Rule of law
ICMP works with authorities to ensure that missing persons issues are effectively addressed through public law processes.
Good governance
ICMP helps authorities to adopt measures to ensure that investigations of disappearances are at all times adequate, proportional and fair.
Strengthening multilateral cooperation
Helping states to fulfil their responsibility to locate missing persons necessarily requires multilateral cooperation, and all ICMP thematic and geographic programs have a multilateral dimension.
Gender equality and peacebuilding
ICMP supports the economic and social wellbeing of women survivors of missing persons cases through education, training and grant-making programs.
Development and social wellbeing
ICMP’s work contributes directly to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, including promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, access to justice and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.
