Nino Cassese and the Early Stages in the Fight against Enforced Disappearances

Nino Cassese’s fundamental contribution to the early stages of the fight against the crime of enforced disappearance is charted in this brief homage. Commencing with Cassese’s strong stance in the face of intimidation by the Ambassador of Argentina, we move to his continued resolve to place credible reports on disappearances in Argentina onto the agenda of the international community, in particular, the United Nations (UN) Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. Cassese’s struggle against this heinous crime culminated in the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution on disappearances and the establishment of the first human rights special procedures mandate — the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances — which continues to operate to this day. The Mapping of Cassese’s role as the driving force behind this evolution brings to light his underlying convictions in law and life.