The Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) public inquiry on the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, activist Amri Chemat, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Hilmy will begin on Oct 19.

This inquiry will be led by Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai. The two other panelists are Aishah Bidin and Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.

According to its terms of reference, the inquiry will determine whether the four individuals are victims of "enforced disappearances" as defined under the International Convention for Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED).

ICPPED defines enforced disappearance as the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the state or by persons, or groups of persons, acting with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of the state.

The instrument was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. Malaysia is not a party to the ICPPED.

The inquiry will also establish if there were cases of involuntary disappearances in breach of laws.

If this was indeed the case, the inquiry will attempt to identify the persons or agencies responsible and whether there were administrative directives, procedures or arrangements which contributed to such breaches.

Thus far, Suhakam has recorded statements from 35 individuals.

Koh was abducted by masked men in broad daylight on Feb 13. Che Amri, Joshua and Ruth reportedly went missing on Nov 24 last year.

Although the police claimed in July that they have made a breakthrough in Koh's case, there has been no news of any of the missing persons' whereabouts.