Representatives of 25 countries attending a three-week United Nations Conference on Declaration of Death of Missing Persons will vote tomorrow on adoption of an international convention covering death certificates of missing persons, which has been completed by a Conference drafting committee.
The convention covers persons last resident in Europe, Asia or Africa who disappeared between 1939 and 1945 under circumstances affording reasonable grounds for the inference that they died as a result of war or persecution. For such persons, national tribunals are authorized to issue death certificates which will constitute prima facie evidence of death in all signatory states.
The convention also sets up an International Bureau for Declarations of Death, which will act as the central depository and checking agency for all certificates issued. Establishment of the Bureau must be approved by the U.N. General Assembly. The convention is to have a duration of five years and will come into force 30 days after two countries have ratified it.
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