**WASHINGTON**
The UN human rights chief on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing numbers of missing people and urged states to ratify the international convention on forced disappearances.
"We need to commit to strengthening and implementing the human rights framework around missing people," Volker Turk told the General Assembly.
He said the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted in 2006, is "the key global agreement" on the issue.
To date, he said only 77 states have ratified the document.
"I urge all states to ratify it, to integrate it into their national laws, and implement it effectively, together with their other international human rights obligations.
"The convention enshrines the right to know the truth about the circumstances of enforced disappearances, the progress and results of investigations, and the fate of disappeared people. In short, exactly what family members need and demand," Volker added.
Separately, Volker said justice and other forms of accountability must be pursued.
Urgent efforts are needed within and between countries to deliver justice for victims, to tackle impunity and make sure violations do not happen again, he added.
Stressing that his office is committed to supporting victims, and to working with states to meet their human rights obligations, Volker said victims must be "at the core of how we tackle this issue."
"We need to listen to them, to hear them out and learn from them what is in their best interest. Their first-hand knowledge and experience are crucial to search and investigation efforts and to developing mechanisms for justice," he said.
Volker stressed that the UN teams around the world promote the ratification of the convention, its "effective, practical" implementation and follow-up on recommendations by UN human rights mechanisms.
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