Desaparecidos España 🇪🇦 (Documental)

The Struggles of Families with Missing Persons

Introduction to the Issue of Disappearances

• The speaker highlights the emotional toll on families searching for their loved ones who have been missing for various lengths of time, ranging from months to decades.

Statistics and Recognition of Missing Persons

• Since 2009, over 200,000 reports of disappearances have been documented in a database, with approximately fifty new cases reported daily.

• Acknowledgment is given to the Senate as a venue for honoring families affected by disappearances rather than forcing them to protest outside government buildings.

Commemoration and Personal Impact

• March 9 was declared as the Day of Missing Persons in memory of Cristina Berwa, who disappeared at age 16 on that date in 1997. This day holds significant meaning for many families.

• The speaker shares personal reflections on the absence felt during family meals and in their daughter's empty room, emphasizing the ongoing pain experienced by families.

Community Support and Shared Grief

• Attending events like this provides comfort through shared understanding among families dealing with similar losses; it fosters a sense of belonging.

• The importance of institutional support is emphasized as crucial for addressing issues surrounding missing persons.

Advocacy and Calls for Action

• José Antonio Lorente from Fundación QSD Global is introduced; this organization aims to unite families affected by disappearances and raise awareness about their plight.

• The speaker reflects on a personal story involving their brother's disappearance when he was just thirteen years old, highlighting systemic failures in reporting such cases.

Ongoing Challenges Faced by Families

• Despite advancements in technology and police collaboration, many cases remain unresolved; examples include Caroline del Valle’s case which has gone cold after seven years.

• Isabel Valle expresses her frustration regarding media coverage disparities between her daughter’s case and others that receive more attention.

Need for Legislative Change

• There is a call for legislation specifically addressing missing persons' rights; all cases should be treated equally without categorization based on circumstances.

Conclusion: Hope Amidst Despair

• The foundation offers vital support to those affected by disappearances, providing hope where there seems none.

• Recognition at events like these serves not only as remembrance but also as an affirmation that while evidence may be lacking, hope remains alive.

Foundation for Missing Persons: A Call to Action

Overview of the Foundation's Mission

• The European Foundation for Missing Persons, known as "Fundación Cueste de Global," addresses the need for support and communication between families of missing persons and public authorities.

• Established in 2016, the foundation tirelessly promotes progress and achievements aimed at assisting families affected by disappearances.

Impact on Families

• Families emphasize that their experiences are unexpected and undeserved, highlighting the traumatic impact of such events on their lives.

• The foundation advocates for a societal understanding that disappearance can happen to anyone, regardless of socio-economic status, urging communities to support those in distress.

Recognition of Contributions

• Awards were presented for various contributions:

• Best Institutional Action: Town Hall of Albudete, Murcia.

• Best Informative Action: National Radio Search Service.

• Best Police Intervention: Central Unit for Specialized Crime (UDEF).

Technological Advancements in Search Efforts

• The "Ángeles Alvariño" research vessel received recognition for its technological contributions in locating missing children Ana and Olivia from Tenerife.

• The operation involved complex logistics with scientists and technical personnel working continuously aboard the vessel.

Psychological Support Importance

• Psychologists Aída de Vicente and Pablo Santamaría were honored for their essential role in providing psychological assistance to families of missing persons.

• Emphasizes the necessity of immediate psychological support rather than relying solely on public health systems due to long wait times.

Personal Testimony on Disappearance Experience

• A personal account illustrates the emotional toll of a family member's disappearance over five years without resolution or hope.

• Recognition was given to Juan Pedro’s family, emphasizing society's struggle with understanding disappearances compared to death.

Societal Responsibility Towards Missing Persons

• There is a call for society to commit fully to searching until individuals are found rather than accepting prolonged absence as normal.

• Criticism directed at governmental inadequacies regarding resources dedicated to ongoing investigations into disappearances.

The Search for the Disappeared: A Call for Action

The Current State of Identification

• There are numerous skeletal remains stored in boxes awaiting DNA matching, with families hoping for identification through a shared DNA bank.

• The process of DNA matching is described as slow due to a lack of personnel, prompting a call to government officials to increase staffing and expedite the process.

Impact on Families

• Each of the 5,200 reported disappearances represents a family that cannot grieve properly without knowing the fate of their loved ones.

• For decades, families have operated individually or in small groups, seeking help from institutions with little success until legislative changes began in 2010.

Legislative Changes and Challenges

• In 2013, a significant step was taken when the Senate created a special commission that called for decisive actions regarding operational aspects of searches and legislative improvements.

• A proposed statute aims to address the plight of missing persons by preventing systematic archiving of cases under outdated laws from the 19th century.

Institutional Support and Victim Categorization

• Institutional structures should support victims rather than hinder them; all missing persons deserve attention regardless of categorization.

• There should be no hierarchy among victims; every family deserves to be heard and supported in their search efforts.

Personal Stories and Hope

• The speaker expresses deep emotional turmoil over unresolved disappearances, emphasizing hope as their only solace amidst chaos.

• They recount personal experiences searching for their daughter Olivia over eight years, highlighting the emotional weight carried by families during such searches.

Reunification and Advocacy

• After many attempts at finding Olivia, they received news about her probable location leading to an emotional reunion after years apart.

• Families advocate for the right to be searched for; they emphasize that when someone disappears, their rights do not vanish—highlighting love and commitment towards those lost.

The Search for the Disappeared

The Emotional Plea of a Parent

• The speaker expresses a heartfelt desire for their child to be fearless, emphasizing that many are searching for their loved ones who have disappeared.

• A moment of connection is highlighted as the speaker's child embraces them, symbolizing support and presence amidst fear.

• The speaker asserts a strong wish that their child would not vanish, reflecting deep emotional turmoil and longing.

• They express determination to remember and honor those who have disappeared, refusing to let their names fade into oblivion.

Honoring the Names of the Missing

• A list of names is recited, showcasing individuals who have gone missing: Joaquín Fernández García, Lucía García Hernández, among others.

• This act serves as a powerful reminder of the personal stories behind each name and the collective grief experienced by families.