Twelve years since the Camp Speicher Massacre, ICMP reflects on its work alongside Iraq's MGMPD and MLD through three phases of search and excavation operations in 2016–2017, recovering 1,238 human remains and identifying 1,139 individuals — bringing long-awaited answers to grieving families. These results were made possible by ICMP's hands-on operational support, training, and on-site assistance, with UNITAD and the ICRC also contributing to the broader accountability effort. ICMP remains steadfast in supporting Iraqi authorities until every family has answers. #ICMP #Iraq #MissingPersons #MassGraves #Justice #Accountability #HumanRights

Today, ICMP joined families of missing persons and friends of the Association of Families of Missing Persons of the Municipality of Ilijaš in commemorating the Day of Missing Persons of Ilijaš in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The commemoration, supported by ICMP with financial assistance from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina, honored the memory of those who remain missing and expressed solidarity with their families, who continue to seek answers about the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. Forty-four persons from Ilijaš are still missing. ICMP remains committed to supporting efforts to account all missing persons and to uphold the rights of all families of the missing.

ICMP participated in the 24th Triennial Meeting of the IAFS - International Association of Forensic Sciences, led by the IAFS committee and chaired by Yanko Kolev, MD, PhD. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 15th Congress of the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (@IAFS2026) and the 17th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Balkan Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS 2026), in Sofia, Bulgaria. Dr Soren Blau (ICMP Head of Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology) and Dr Vitalli Levchnko (Head of the Pereyaslavl Branch of Forensic Medical Examinations and Identification, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Health of Ukraine) were invited speakers at a pre-conference workshop, “Imaging in Disaster Victim Identification: Recent Developments and New Perspectives,” chaired by Dr Hans de Boer and Dr Chris O’Donnell (Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine). They presented “Development of Post-mortem (PM) Imaging Capacity for Identification and Medicolegal Investigations in Ukraine.” Dr Soren Blau and Kieren Hill (ICMP DNA Laboratory Manager) participated in a session dedicated to identification and DVI, delivering a presentation “ICMP’s Support for Ukraine in the Identification of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances: An Overview of Four Years’ Work.” Maria Milagros Postigo Mercades (ICMP DNA Laboratory Technician) presented a poster titled “How Sample Origin Shapes STR Success in Degraded Bone Samples.” #ICMP #Forensics #DNA #DVI #ukraine

Last week in Pristina, with the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina ICMP brought together associations representing Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb families of missing persons, alongside Kosovo institutions responsible for locating and identifying the missing, to strengthen dialogue, transparency, and cooperation in the search for answers. “Families of the missing have the right to accurate information regarding the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. Sustained dialogue between institutions and families is essential to maintaining confidence in the process and advancing efforts to identify those who are still missing,” said Matthew Holliday, ICMP’s Program Director for Europe. Families emphasized the urgency of resolving remaining cases and the importance of regular engagement with institutions, while representatives of the Government Commission on Missing Persons and the Institute of Forensic Medicine provided updates on ongoing efforts to review unidentified human remains and advance identifications. “Sweden will continue to support ICMP, work closely with family associations of missing persons, and encourage continued efforts to resolve all 1,568 active missing persons cases,” said Jonas Westerlund, Ambassador of Sweden to Kosovo. Participants also visited the Institute of Forensic Medicine to learn more about the forensic procedures and technical capabilities supporting the identification process. Read More: icmp.int/flash-news/icmp-fac…

ICMP, together with the Institute of Biology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), and in cooperation with An Giang Province authorities, has launched a large-scale exhumation and DNA identification project at Giong Rieng Martyrs Cemetery. The initiative involves the exhumation of nearly 1,000 sets of unidentified human remains and the collection of postmortem samples for advanced DNA analysis. Excavation activities are expected to continue for approximately three weeks, after which all collected samples will be transferred to the laboratories of the Center for DNA Identification (CDI) under IB-VAST in Hanoi for processing and analysis. The operation also marks the beginning of a pilot study part of an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project implemented at IB-VAST from March 2024 through March 2027, funded by the United States Government. 📖 For more information, read the press release: icmp.int/flash-news/large-sc… #MissingPersons #DNA #Vietnam #ICMP #ForensicScience

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On the #InternationalMissingChildrensDay, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) supported a commemorative event titled “#Halabja: an Identity between Disappearance and Return” organized by the Halabja Chemical Attack Victims Association, reaffirming solidarity with families who continue to seek answers about the fate and whereabouts of their #missing children. The event featured the documentary “The Waiting Mothers”, highlighting the experiences of families of the missing from Halabja and the lasting impact of disappearance on the community. ICMP reiterates its commitment to supporting #Iraq’s efforts to account for missing persons from all communities and all periods of conflict, and to supporting families of the missing and civil society organizations in securing their rights to #truth, #justice and reparations.

On Missing Children’s Day, ICMP stands in solidarity with families of missing children around the world. Every family has the right to truth, justice, and accountability. Reporting a missing child is the first step toward finding them and bringing answers to families. Learn more: oic.icmp.int #MissingChildren #InternationalMissingChildrensDay #ChildProtection #HumanRights #MissingPersons #ICMP #BringThemHome #EveryChildMatters #Justice #Accountability

Today in Sarajevo, the ICMP’s Western Balkans Program hosted students and professors from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in Zwolle, the Netherlands. During the visit, ICMP Communications Officer Saša Kulukčija explained the ICMP’s work in the Western Balkans, where more than 40,000 people were reported missing following the conflicts of the 1990s. To date, around 75 percent of those missing have been accounted for through the efforts of domestic institutions and families of the missing with ICMP's support. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of international cooperation, the role of scientific methods in locating and identifying missing persons, and the impact of this work on families and societies affected by disappearance.

On the National Day of Mass Graves, the International Commission on Missing Persons calls for strengthened efforts to address the issue of missing persons through a rule-of-law-based approach that safeguards the rights of families to know the truth and achieve justice. 🔗 Read more:icmp.int/press-releases/icmp… #ICMP #MissingPersons #MassGraves #HumanRights #Truth #Justice #FamiliesOfTheMissing #RuleOfLaw #Iraq #NationalDayOfMassGraves

On the International Day of Families, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) joined the Advisory Board of the Missing Persons Institute of #Bosnia and Herzegovina, families of the missing, representatives of domestic authorities, and members of the international community at the event held today at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in #Sarajevo. The event served as a reminder that despite unprecedented results in accounting for the missing in BIH, decades after the conflicts thousands of families are still searching for truth and justice for their missing loved ones. Families of the missing continue to carry the burden of uncertainty, while leading efforts to preserve memory, demand accountability, and uphold the right to #truth and #justice. #ICMP remains committed to supporting institutions and families in efforts to account for the missing and secure the rights of all families of the #missing.

Today in Bratunac, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) joined families of victims and representatives of institutions from across Bosnia and Herzegovina at the =funeral ceremony at the Memorial Center Veljaci, where one victim was laid to rest. For families of the missing, commemorations such as these remain an important part of honoring those who were lost and reaffirming the right to truth and justice. The gathering was organized as part of activities implemented by the Association Women of Podrinje – Bratunac through ICMP’s Small Grants Program, with financial support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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The Association of Families of Missing Soldiers and Civilians Semberija and Majevica in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a commemorative gathering, supported by ICMP through a project funded by the Swiss Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that brought together families of the missing, representatives of domestic institutions, and ICMP. For families still searching for their loved ones, religious ceremonies and commemorative gatherings held in remembrance of those who disappeared more than 20 years ago — and who still do not have a grave to visit — remain deeply significant. For years, ICMP has supported activities led by families that focus on remembrance, dignity, and preserving the memory of the missing.

ICMP and Libya’s General Authority for the Search and Identification of Missing Persons (GASIMP) held a coordination meeting in Tunis today, focused on the adoption and implementation of ICMP’s Integrated Data Management System (iDMS). The meeting concluded with the signing of an End User License Agreement (EULA), as part of ongoing cooperation under ICMP’s Libya Program. The event was made possible through the generous support of the @DutchMFA and was attended by the Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Libya, Helen Baartmans. For more information, please read the press release: icmp.int/news/icmp-and-gasim… #missingpersons #Libya #NL #humanrights #IDMS #ICMP @NLambLib

Today in Bihać, a conference on the importance of legal proceedings in addressing genocide denial and protecting the rights of victims and families of the missing brought together families, legal experts, researchers, and institutional representatives. The event was organized by the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide, supported by the International Commission on Missing Persons with financial support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and highlighted the role of justice in safeguarding rights and ensuring accountability. In the coming days, representatives of victims’ associations will continue the dialogue at the Faculty of Law in Bihać, engaging with students and academics on the importance of confronting denial through legal mechanisms. The event also marked a moment of recognition, as participating associations presented the International Commission on Missing Persons with a certificate of appreciation for more than 20 years of work in promoting truth and supporting families of the missing.

This week, ICMP representatives, including Head of Archaeology and Anthropology Division, Soren Blau, participated in a workshop in #Damascus hosted by the Syrian National Commission on Missing Persons (NCMP). The workshop focused on standardizing general procedures for forensic response and missing persons files. The event brought together representatives from Syria’s Ministries of Justice, Health, and Interior, along with local and international forensic experts. #ICMP #Syria #HumanRights #Misssing #Missing_persons