The Portuguese Ombudsman is marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Whether as a means of spreading terror, as a way of silencing political opponents, or as an instrument of repression against those who dare to be free or is simply different, the forced disappearance of people constitutes a serious offense against the most basic human rights.
In order to fight this practice and to mark the struggle of the men and women who faced the disappearance of their loved ones and live with its suffering, the United Nations instituted, in the year 2010, August 30th as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The Portuguese Ombudsman, as the National Human Rights Institution and also the President of the Ibero-American Federation of Ombudsmen, marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances with this message, remembering the victims ― so they won’t never be forgotten ― and paying homage to those who are struck, every day, by their memory and by the rightful application of justice.