What Fear Left Us

The issue of forced disappearance generally provokes a strange sense of rejection among ordinary people. However, this resistance diminishes when presented within the context of a direct testimony. This photographic essay seeks to reveal the uncertainty endured by many families and offer a document that contributes to the construction of historical memory.

Photography, in itself, is a medium that conveys absence. In this case, the message is reinforced, as the concept of “absence” is addressed not only through form but also through content. We acknowledge that photography in such cases is merely a document, yet we hope for it to serve as a nostalgic tribute to the victims. As Roland Barthes states, “Photography is framed by melancholy, unable to remedy the bad nor recover the good that images contain.”

Forced disappearance is not a work of fiction; it is the result of a human decision used to impose terror. Colombia is now undertaking an unprecedented effort in the search, identification, and return of remains. The international community and victim associations have pushed forward legal provisions to address this crime. Many victims have overcome fear and have come forward to report and assist the state in the search for their loved ones.

These photographs, which combine documentary photography with historical memory, stem from the documentation of work focused on the search for the disappeared. They are also the result of relationships built with the mission and the victims in various parts of the country, allowing for a deeper understanding of the impact this experience has on our photographic work.

The proposal is based on linking visual statements with the accompanying texts—the captions of the photographs—to construct a testimony of the challenge the country faces in combating forced disappearance.

Fighting forced disappearance is a duty. This photographic essay is merely an invitation to open new spaces for reflection, encouraging the development of an effective policy against this crime against humanity. In doing so, it seeks to support the ongoing efforts of many victims’ families who, for decades, have adopted new forms of expression to complement their formal demands for justice, ensuring that their rights remain in focus.