disappearance; – Judge and sanction; – Carry out exhumations; – Grant satisfaction or reparation; – Deal with disappearances perpetrated by non-State actors (e.g., rebel groups). The Working Group, whose permanent secretariat is based in Geneva (Switzerland), is made up of five independent experts. It holds three regular sessions a year. What are the Working Group’s procedures? Urgent appeals. The Working Group transmits directly (within 1 or 2 days after receipt) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country concerned, through the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, cases that occurred within the past 3 months. For cases that happened more than 3 months ago (standard cases), the Working Group may authorize transmission to the Government concerned, requesting it to carry out investigations and inform the Working Group about the results. General allegations. Allegations are formulated by relatives of disappeared people and NGOs with regard to existing obstacles in given countries to the implementation of the 1992 Declaration. Such allegations are transmitted to Governments for their response. Prompt intervention for reprisals. The Working Group transmits to the Government concerned information on cases of intimidation, persecution or reprisal against relatives of disappeared people, witnesses or their families or members of NGOs concerned with disappearances, calling on it to take steps to protect all the fundamental rights of the persons affected. Country visits. Upon previous consent by the Government, the Working Group can visit a country to assess the overall situation of disappearances. It will then release a report on such a visit. 28