Disappearances at the hands of the state or opposition forces continue to haunt societies around the world today. Numbers remain uncertain -- after all, the victims in question have simply disappeared -- but both in conflict scenarios and under repressive regimes, disappearances persist. Those kidnapped by a state apparatus or parties to conflict may be held incommunicado in detention for years on end, subject to goodness knows what treatment, or may be speedily executed.

Families are likewise often left in the dark, unable to hear from their loved ones and yet unable to gain information about their relatives' locations from officials.