Ministro de Estado e dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Dr. Luís Filipe Marques Amado

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Palácio das Necessidades

Largo do Rilvas, 1399-030 Lisboa

Portugal

Dear Minister,

I am writing to call on your government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. As you know, the Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly by consensus on 20 December 2006 (A/RES/61/177).
The Convention will be an effective way to help prevent enforced disappearances, establish the truth about this crime, punish the perpetrators and provide reparations to the victims and their families. As countless people continue to be forcibly disappeared throughout the world, the prompt entry into force of the Convention and its ratification and effective implementation in all countries must be a priority for the international community.
By taking action without hesitation, your country will be among the first 20 countries to ratify the Convention and thus instrumental to its entry into force.  The Convention is among the treaties highlighted at the “2009 Treaty Event: Towards Universal Participation and Implementation” which will be held from 23 to 25 and 28 to 29 September at the UN General Assembly. The UN annual Treaty Event would provide an excellent opportunity to ratify the Convention.

The ratification of the Convention would constitute an unmistakable signal that your government is committed to ending this gravest human rights violation.
I therefore urge you to ensure that your government:

· sign and ratify/accedes to the Convention at the earliest opportunity without any limiting reservations;

· make the declarations required under Articles 31 and 32 of the Convention, thus recognizing the competence of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances to consider communications from individuals and states parties; and

· take the necessary steps effectively to implement the Convention at national level soon after ratification.

I thank you for your attention to this important matter and look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

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