Missing Migrant

Migrants go missing during and after their journeys for a variety of reasons, including as a result of human rights violations or crimes and casualties. Where the fate or whereabouts of the persons concerned are unknown, they can be regarded as missing. Missing migrants can sometimes be feared dead, but often they can be alive. This entry illustrates the notion of missing migrants, the historical background, and relevant sources of reference. The main initiatives undertaken by governments, civil society organizations, and international and intergovernmental organizations are presented, together with the existing trends, including international litigation and the emerging case law, and the main challenges in the prevention of the phenomenon and in the design and carrying out of effective search operations, the provision of adequate psycho-social support to the families, and, where appropriate, in granting access to justice and redress.