Advocacy towards ratification : successful strategies.

 

This panel explored advocacy strategies to make progress towards the goal of universal ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (CED Convention). With 77 States parties as of December 2024, adherence to the CED Convention is not as high as other international human rights treaties, such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT Convention) which has been ratified by 175 States. Panelists discussed strategies tailored to diverse political and social contexts to increase the number of States parties to the CED Convention. 

Common issues across the interventions emerged:

 • The crucial role of victims and civil society: Victims’ voices remain the most compelling tool for advocacy, offering authenticity and urgency to the call for ratification, as proven by the collaborative drafting process of the CED Convention. Its provision stems from the experience of the disappeared and their families. Civil society and victims’ organization raise awareness about enforced disappearance and the importance for all States to adhere to the Convention through their documentation, campaigning and advocacy activities at the national, regional and international level. 

• Regional trends and context-specific approaches: Contextual strategies are essential, leveraging local knowledge and addressing political priorities. Progress has been achieved in Africa through initiatives like the African Commission’s Guidelines on the Protection of AllPersons from Enforced Disappearances in Africa, enforcement remains limited due to the lack of dedicated widespread ratification. In Europe the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has been advocating for ratification by its Member States in a recommendation. The experience of the Convention against Torture Initiative(CTI) shows that promoting dialogue at the regional level on issues of common interest has yielded positive results, including in the Middle East and North Africa.

 • Diplomatic engagement: Peer-to-peer engagement, exemplified by CTI, has proven an effective strategy to promote ratification of the CAT Convention. Bilateral and multilateral platforms enable States to learn from each other and build trust. Experience also shows the importance of addressing States’ concerns and misconceptions, emphasizing that technical support is available, but also highlighting the benefits of the ratification and the process itself, such as the opportunity for consultation with citizens and civil society. 

• Fostering partnerships and collaboration: Alliances and partnerships, such as civil society and victim coalition or groups of friendly States and experts, have proven instrumental in promoting ratification of human rights instruments. Collaboration amongst the relevant mechanisms at the national, regional and international, and between the mechanisms and other actors – NHRIs, CSOs, States – has also been decisive to secure advances in terms of ratification and implementation of human rights instruments.

Recommendations for action 

• Strengthening and supporting victim and civil society participation - Strengthen and support coalitions that amplify victims’ voices - Enhance advocacy through storytelling and strategic media use 

• Replicating successful strategies for diplomatic engagement - Combine bilateral and multilateral diplomacy - Address States’ concerns and misconceptions about ratification - Highlight the benefits of ratification - Communicate modalities of support and technical assistance available through the UN and other actors - Foster platforms for experience-sharing on ratification challenges and benefits

 • Developing and implementing context-specific strategies - Ratification efforts should take into account ongoing priorities, such as the ratification of other treaties or transitional justice processes, to align with States’ preexisting commitments.

 • Building and strengthening alliances - Identify and mobilize “friends” of the Convention at the national level (in parliament and government), regional and international level (international coalition, “Group of friends”, “Core States”) 

• Encouraging and strengthening cooperation - Promote collaboration at the national, regional and international level amongst and between relevant mechanisms and actors, through experience-sharing and joint activities. - Strengthen cooperation amongst all actors through platforms such as this congress.