GENEVA (9 May 2022) – The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will hold its 127th session from 9 to 13 May 2022 to examine 201 cases in 21 countries. The five independent experts will hold meetings with relatives of forcibly disappeared people, State representatives, civil society groups and other stakeholders to exchange information on individual cases and on structural issues and challenges related to enforced disappearances. The experts will also examine allegations received regarding obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (‘the Declaration’), such as regressive legislation and practices, or systemic failures in addressing cases of enforced disappearance, notably in the areas of truth and justice. The Working Group will also discuss internal matters and future activities, including its next reports to the Human Rights Council, envisaged country visits and the special initiative marking the 30th anniversary of the Declaration. Issues related to disappearances perpetrated by non-state actors will also be discussed during the session. During the session, the Working Group will host a hybrid expert meeting to inform its next thematic report on the linkages between enforced disappearances and new technologies. The decisions made by the Working Group during the 127th session will be reflected in its next post-sessional report. The sessions of the Working Group are held in private. ENDS