Consists of a pre-publication version of the introduction and chapter 7 of a major AI report on “disappearances” and political killings which will be published in early 1994 by AI’s Dutch Section on behalf of the international movement. The terms “disappearance” and extrajudicial execution are defined and other features of these violations described, such as the secrecy in which they are carried out and the impunity often enjoyed by their perpetrators. Instances of recent “disappearances” and political killings are summarized.