{"id":31994,"date":"2025-07-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csw-yeo.1wp.site\/magazines\/the-disappeared-out-of-sight-but-not-out-of-mind-6574\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T21:22:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T20:22:02","slug":"the-disappeared-out-of-sight-but-not-out-of-mind-6574","status":"publish","type":"magazines","link":"https:\/\/www.csw.org.uk\/es\/magazines\/the-disappeared-out-of-sight-but-not-out-of-mind-6574\/","title":{"rendered":"The Disappeared: Out of sight but not out of mind"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u2018It’s terrible to be taken and killed or unjustly put in prison. But to be disappeared is to be left with this big question mark… With a disappearance, there’s always a possibility that they’re alive.\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the world, people are being disappeared because of their religion or belief. Anna Lee Stangl (CSW\u2019s Director of Advocacy) explains what this means and what we can do in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do we mean by \u2018disappeared\u2019?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone is disappeared \u2013 such as a pastor or human rights defender \u2013 they may be detained somewhere, without charge or trial, but their whereabouts are unknown. Will the truth ever be revealed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a tactic used by governments as well as armed groups. It\u2019s a way of targeting not just one person, but also their extended family, their loved ones or even their entire community. If people are disappearing, it puts everyone on alert that they could be next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where does it happen?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enforced disappearance happens in many of the countries we work on: China, Kenya, Laos, Nicaragua and North Korea, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastor Aar\u00f3n M\u00e9ndez Ruiz disappeared six years ago in Mexico. He was abducted from a migrant shelter which he ran on the Mexico-United States border \u2013 a dangerous area where organised criminal groups operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile in Eritrea, seven church leaders disappeared into the prison system more than two decades ago. Each year we hold a prayer and protest vigil, to let the Eritrean authorities know that we are still watching and waiting for answers. And as Christians, we have a special hope: that nothing and no-one is hidden from God\u2019s sight. We believe he sees and cares for the disappeared, and that one day, no injustice will go unpunished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are their loved ones affected?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the unknowns can cause huge emotional stress and trauma to those who are trying to find them. Should they believe the worst, or hope for the best? It is without a doubt a form of emotional torture that can impact generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may also be targeted themselves. Geng He\u2019s husband (the Chinese human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng) has been missing since August 2017. Speaking in 2021, she said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It’s not just that there is no news of Gao Zhisheng, the authorities’ persecution of his family has been very severe too\u2026 The ID cards of everyone in the family have been confiscated by the authorities over the past 10 years, so that they aren’t able to leave their local area, let alone go looking for him.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can we do?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most important thing is not letting these people be forgotten. And for their loved ones to know that they’re not alone \u2013 to know that we won’t tire with them. We can keep pushing for investigations, asking \u2018Where are they?\u2019 and calling those in power to act now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our advocates gather evidence and raise their cases with national and international authorities. We also walk beside their loved ones, offering support, compassion and expertise. And through your faithful praying, campaigning and giving, you are walking beside them too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 August is the International Day of the Disappeared. Here are three ways to mark it:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflect and pray:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘The Disappeared’ is a five-minute film, telling the stories of those who are disappeared for their beliefs. We\u2019ve also created a slideshow to help you remember their faces. Could you share it with your church or small group?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find all resources at csw.org.uk\/TheDisappearedResources<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raise your voice:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call on the Nicaraguan government to provide an urgent proof of life for Carmen and Lesbia; to free them immediately and without condition: csw.org.uk\/WhereAreThey<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support our work:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could you make a gift to stand with the disappeared, their families, and other people facing injustice and persecution? Your gifts enable our vital advocacy to continue \u2013 day in, day out: csw.org.uk\/donate<\/b><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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