Forced disappearance is a crime that affects not only to the relatives of the disappeared, but also to the community and the whole society.

Forced disappearance is a crime that affects not only to the relatives of the disappeared, but also to the community and the whole society. To pay tribute to these victims and their loved ones, the Victims Unit will commemorate the International Day of the Victims of Forced Disappearance. At least 45,630 persons are victims of these events in Colombia within the internal armed conflict, according to the Sole Register of Victims. 

Forced disappearance has mainly affected men (88% of the total number). Aware of the impact that it causes in families, the register also acknowledges 112,837 indirect victims, such as mothers whose sons disappeared in the context of the conflict. 

Departments with most victims of disappearance are: Antioquia (10,855 direct victims), Meta (3,122 direct victims), Valle del Cauca (1,971 direct victims), Cesar (1,865 direct victims), Caquetá (1,812 direct victims), and Putumayo (1,711 direct victims). 

• For more information (in Spanish): http://www.unidadvictimas.gov.co/es/reparaci%C3%B3n/en-memoria-de-las-v%C3%ADctimas-de-desaparici%C3%B3n-forzada/354