Diego R. Nunez Mass graves contain evidence that is essential for the realisation of truth, justice and reparation. In this sense, their protection plays a fundamental part in State’s compliance with their human rights obligations. This position is further reinforced in the international legal landscape. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), for instance, has…
Malvika Verma The theme for International Migrants Day this year highlights how human mobility drives communities to connect and support each other, ultimately facilitating safer migration. This is most evident in zones witnessing high mobility, but at the same time, also seeing higher risks for migrants during the migration cycle. It is not uncommon…
Ellen Donovan A year ago, the Assad regime in Syria fell to Hay’at Tahir al-Sham. Vaunted as one of the most impenetrable regimes of the 21st century, the rapid collapse of the Syrian state reminds us that unpredictability cannot in itself be conflated with impossibility. Nevertheless, one year later, initial jubilation and optimism for…
Melanie Klinkner It does not require much reflection to conclude that, overall, 2025 has not been a good year from a human rights perspective. Regardless of whether international law is in ‘crisis’, dead or still alive, mass atrocities keep being perpetrated at an alarming rate. Claims of mass graves in Sudan’s city of el-Fasher…
Diego R. Nunez The 9th of December marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. Many similar symbolic dates exist around the world and, when related to tragedies, they all seem to rely on the belief that acknowledgment and…
Emily Fisher If we understand violence not just as use of physical force but as an act that causes psychological harm to a person, we can understand that families of the forcibly disappeared, more often than not whom are women, are also victims of violence, violence that must be addressed. On this…
Jorge Eduardo Jasso Cuellar Forensic science, human rights, and data protection converge in a complex yet vital field that is all about uncovering the truth and seeking justice. Mass graves, for example, raise hard moral and practical questions. Looking into these sites needs careful science, legal responsibility, and respect for those who have…
Sousar Takhaka was the first panellist to speak at our Mass Graves in the Context of Migration and Trafficking round-table in September. His contribution powerfully captured the many challenges faced by families searching for loved ones in such difficult and complex circumstances. It set the tone for the discussions that followed throughout the convening, and we felt…
With October 2025 marking two years since the launch of MaGPIE, the team took the chance to reflect on a year of progress and personal milestones. At Emily’s invitation, each member shared a highlight that they’re proud of, all of which are detailed below: Anna: A year on from joining MaGPIE as a PhD…
Emily Fisher Our research, with the Missing Persons Indicator Project, shows that 124 States lack any formal government institutions specifically addressing missing persons or disappearances yet 28 of these countries have NGOs actively working on the ground to support, in some manner, families searching for the disappeared. This means, in many of these…