Editor’s Note The distinction between “enforced disappearances” and “missing persons” is not merely academic; it is a fundamental issue of justice for families, survivors, and entire communities, particularly in contexts marked by political repression or conflict, such as the Tamil regions of Sri Lanka. Misunderstandings or conflation of these terms can undermine victim rights, enable impunity, and erode international accountability. This report was prepared with reference to best practices in human rights reporting, prioritizing clarity, evidentiary rigor, the voices of affected communities, and actionable recommendations for stakeholders 1 . Disclaimer This report is for informational and analytical purposes only. It provides a synthesis of publicly available legal sources, treaties, case law, advocacy reports, and commentary as of August 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and balance, the content does not constitute formal legal advice and does not gua...