AFAD: Orientaion

AFAD HISTORY

Coming from the points around the globe to sow the seeds of the international movement against involuntary disappearances, representatives of organizations concerned with the common issue of involuntary disappearances from Asia, Africa and Latin America attended the inter-continental activities sponsored by the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) during the 1997 commemoration of the International Week of the Disappeared. On this occasion, forming an Asian group to be linked to the already established Latin American Federation of Associations of Relatives of Disappeared Detainees (FEDEFAM) was envisioned.

A year later, the core of the envisioned Asian group, composed of organizations from the Philippines, Kashmir, India and Sri Lanka saw the light of day on June 4, 1998 in Manila, Philippines. The event was graced by former FEDEFAM President, Yanette Bautista. It was the start of a series of joint activities of AFAD and FEDEFAM.

Two years of ground work resulted in the convening of the Founding Congress also held in Manila. From a core group of three organizations, AFAD has expanded and is now a Federation of seven organizations concerned on the phenomenon involuntary disappearances and other forms of civil and political rights violations.

Its Second Congress, with the theme "Strengthening AFAD's Unity Amidst Diversity: A Key to an Effective Human Rights Human Rights Advocacy" will be convened on August 26-30, 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand.

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