Global Investigative Journalism Network (https://archive.gijn.org/tag/missing-people/)
In this chapter excerpt from GIJN’s Guide to Investigating War Crimes, investigative reporter Sarah El Deeb discusses techniques for tracking the missing and those subject to forced disappearances.
As Spain transitioned to democracy, a series of attacks were carried out by the far-right. In some cases, the culprits were never found. To provide some measure of accountability, two journalists from El País have worked for a decade tracking down fugitives in cases forgotten or closed by the authorities.
There is no infallible method for interviewing people who have been victims and survivors of traumatic events such as violence, crimes, disasters, or accidents. But Marcela Turati, co-founder of Mexican investigative journalism nonprofit Quinto Elemento Lab, shares recommendations that can be used as a roadmap to conduct a humane, sensitive, and respectful interview.
Journalist Marcela Turati has spent years investigating who is responsible for the thousands of people who have gone missing in Mexico. She spoke to Revista 5W magazine about her work, the dangers of investigating corruption in the country, and why it is so difficult to try and track down who is behind violent crimes against journalists and migrants.
Millions of people go missing every year. Some vanish of their own accord, but many are victims of organized crime, security agencies, and criminal states. Journalists play a key role in investigating these disappearances, but the work is difficult, dangerous and often harrowing. In the final webinar of the GIJN series, Digging into Disappearances, we will hear from four senior journalists who have investigated notable missing persons cases related to criminal organizations and criminal conduct.
A French freelance journalist tracked down a man accused of being involved in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Here’s how French journalist Théo Englebert delved into the eight-month investigation, including his top tips for finding someone who wants to disappear.
রুয়ান্ডায় ১৯৯৪ সালের গণহত্যার অন্যতম কারিগর ও মানবতাবিরোধী অপরাধের আসামী, অ্যালোয়েস নিউইরাগাবো। তিনি দীর্ঘদিন ধরে ফ্রান্সে লুকিয়ে ছিলেন সবার চোখে ধুলো দিয়ে। কেউ কেউ বলছিল, তিনি মারা গেছেন। কিন্তু পেছনে লেগে ছিলেন থিও এঙ্গেলবার্ট। আদালতের নথি ঘেঁটে, সরকারি তথ্য বের করে, আর দিনের পর দিন রাস্তা ও বাড়ীর ছাদে বসে থেকে – প্রায় আট মাসের চেষ্টায় তাকে খুঁজে বের করেন এই অনুসন্ধানী সাংবাদিক।