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2012

Healing the Wounds of Conflict and Disaster: Clarifying the Fate of Missing Persons in the OSCE Area

Members

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Hon. Chris Smith

Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Steve Cohen

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Michael Burgess

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Joseph Pitts

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Michael Turner

Congressman

U.S. House of Representatives

Hon. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Congresswoman

U.S. House of Representatives

Witnesses

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Queen Noor of Jordan

Commissioner

International Commission on Missing Persons

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Shawn A. Bray

Deputy Director

INTERPOL Washington

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Fatima Tlisova

Writer, Editor and Producer

Voice of America

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Amor Masovic

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Missing Persons Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The hearing examined efforts by governments and their partners in clarifying the fate of persons missing within a number of OSCE participating States and partner countries, especially in the western Balkans and northern Caucasus. The hearing also appraised the adequacy of assistance to governments and other entities engaged in locating missing persons, the obstacles that impede progress in some areas, as well as how rule of law mechanisms help governments fulfill their obligations to the affected families and society in clarifying the fate of missing persons.

Currently, over a million persons are reported missing from wars and violations of human rights. In addition, there are thousands of reported cases a year of persons missing from trafficking, drug-related violence, and other causes. Locating and identifying persons missing as a result of conflicts, trafficking in humans and human rights violations and other causes remains a global challenge, with significant impact within the OSCE area.

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