International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
Dates can vary from year to year, so check the organiser’s website for the latest details.
Recognise the risks faced by people serving the United Nations and its partners. The day invites thoughtful learning about staff protection, solidarity with families and the conditions needed for humanitarian work.
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Dates and event details
Thursday 25 March 2027. Held every year on 25 March.
| Date status | Date calculated from a fixed annual pattern |
|---|---|
| Date-check source | Official observance organiser |
| Where | International |
What is International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members?
The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is marked on 25 March each year. The date recalls the abduction of Alec Collett in 1985 while he was working for UNRWA.
The UN describes the purpose as mobilising action, seeking justice and strengthening protection for staff and peacekeepers, alongside colleagues in non-governmental organisations and the press. Its background includes the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2027 takes place on 25 March 2027. Recognise the risks faced by people serving the United Nations and its partners. The day invites thoughtful learning about staff protection, solidarity with families and the conditions needed for humanitarian work.
Dates and common questions
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed on 25 March each year.
Is this only a remembrance day?
Remembrance is part of the observance, alongside solidarity, justice and the protection of people currently working in challenging circumstances.
Should an activity publish details of missing workers?
Use only suitable, verified public information from responsible sources. Do not investigate personal cases or circulate unverified details as part of an awareness activity.
Ideas for taking part
- Learn about a humanitarian role. Research a role such as logistics, translation or public information using official resources. Explain how it supports a wider mission. Avoid assuming every worker has the same nationality, employment arrangement or experience.
- Read the purpose of a protection document. Use an accessible official explanation of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. Identify what the document seeks to protect and which questions need specialist interpretation. Keep the session educational rather than offering legal conclusions.
- Hold a quiet act of solidarity. Plan a short reading or reflection using verified public material. Explain the purpose beforehand and let people participate privately. Use names, images or personal stories only when appropriate permission and context are available.
- Review a speaker invitation. If inviting a former worker, agree topics and boundaries in advance. Do not request operational details or information about colleagues. Offer a moderated format, avoid unexpected personal questions and respect a decision not to discuss particular experiences.
Why this observance matters
Public discussion of humanitarian work often concentrates on the assistance delivered. This observance also asks what workers and their families need. A respectful programme can explain professional responsibilities and protection without exposing personal information or turning dangerous experiences into entertainment.
Turn an activity into a useful project
Produce a small, checked resource explaining the observance, one area of humanitarian work and the importance of staff protection. Ask participants to list what they learned and what remains outside their knowledge. If supporting an established organisation, use its published public information and normal participation routes. Keep the focus on dignity, accurate information and sustained interest beyond a single day.
Official information
Check the official International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members information for campaign resources and organiser announcements. Local activities have their own booking arrangements; the awareness date itself does not register you for an event.
