Disappearances Of People Through Conflicts

Disappearances Of People Through Conflicts

In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly, by Resolution, designated 30th August of every year starting from 2011 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances in recognition of people who have disappeared in various regions of the world through conflict, disaster and migration and to stand in solidarity with their loved ones.

Enforced disappearance constitutes serious violation of Human Rights in all ramifications and is a crime against humanity when committed as part of widespread or systematic attack on civilian population.

Enforced disappearance is a global problem and all Nations are required to provide effective access to justice for victims through concrete measures that guarantees participation of victims and their representatives in the process.

Nigeria is signatory to the Protocol against Enforced Disappearances.

But the country has been experiencing forced and unforced disappearances.

Kidnapping is a manifest crude, extortionate and unconscionable means of disappearing with precious lives with the object of making free money so much so that it is now staged to swindle friends and relatives.

Instances abound of persons disguised as nurses disappearing with newly-born babies from Hospitals.

Official records could disappear when they are required to resolve financial irregularity or promote uncooperative staff.

A person could be presumed dead after 7 years of disappearance despite lack of direct proof.

Sleep murdered by vicissitudes of life could disappear.

Maids could disappear with children in their care.

Lovers could both disappear to avoid forced marriage.

A steady partner could suddenly disappear without a word when everything seems fine.

One of prospective spouses could disappear at the venue of a well-planned and well-attended wedding.

What a candidate memorized all night could disappear at the sight of intimidating examination questions.

Vehicles could disappear within minutes of parking them. Good products could disappear at the sight of fake ones.

Animals to be slaughtered for festivities could disappear before the D-day.

Local dialects and native wisdom tend to disappear due to rising ego of speaking English with bogus alien accents.

Fair weather friendship could disappear during trying times.

Lost property which does not disappear before it is found could disappear after being found but before being claimed.

Apprentices could disappear with the day’s proceeds.

Borrowers disappear with lenders’ money at will.

Managers could disappear with investors’ life savings just like that.

Trillions of Naira have reportedly disappeared from government coffers.

Expectations which precedes budget proposal disappear after its passage.

Flourishing businesses, motor vehicles and officials on international assignments have disappeared due to economic turbulence.

Tales of disappearing crude oil is spreading like wild fire.

Body parts could disappear for ritual purpose while an entire body could mysteriously disappear from the grave.

Despondency has forced many to disappear from this world practically.

After all, life is said to be like a vapor that appears for a little while and then disappears. Smiles of good old days quickly disappear in the face of present stark reality.

Nigeria could be what it is today because Godly people have all disappeared.

By Kabir Babatunde, Edited By Grace Namiji