The Committee against Torture this morning held a high-level event to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

In opening remarks, Claude Heller, Chairperson of the Committee against Torture, welcomed the commitment made by the States parties to the Convention to protect human dignity and eradicate torture, and recognised the work of individuals and institutions dedicated to ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention, and access to justice for victims. Currently, 174 States were parties to the Convention, making it one of the most widely supported international human rights treaties. Mr. Heller called on all Member States that had not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so, as well as to ratify the Optional Protocol.

Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the adoption of the Convention against Torture 40 years ago was a seminal moment in the history of human rights. It represented a powerful, collective commitment by States to prevent and punish one of the most despicable acts perpetrated by humanity. Today, the Convention, and the dedication and commitment it demanded, were more urgently needed than ever. Torture was never legal and never permitted, under any circumstances. Yet it was harrowing to see the extent to which torture was mentioned in the reports of the Office; this was unacceptable. States bore the primary responsibility, and they must lead the way.

Opening statements were also delivered by Claudia Fuentes Julio, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations Office at Geneva; Suzanne Jabbour, Chair of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture; Alice Jill Edwards, United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and Ambika Satkunanathan, Member of the Board of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture

The second segment of the event was a panel discussion which launched the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ training guide on reporting under the Convention against Torture. It was moderated by Nosy Ramamonjisoa, Treaty Bodies Capacity Building Programme, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The panellists were Patricia Ann Hermanns, Permanent Representative of the Bahamas to the United Nations Office at Geneva; Gayethri Pillay, Head of Secretariat, Convention against Torture Initiative; Gerald Staberock, Secretary-General, World Organization against Torture; and Ana Racu, Member of the Committee against Torture.

The final segment was a live podcast recording on good practices on prosecution to ensure accountability, including through the use of universal jurisdiction. It was moderated by Kaylois Henry, Head of Editorial Unit, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Speakers were Alice Jill Edwards, United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Kristina Hon, Senior Legal Advisor, Civitas Maxima; and Kolbassia Haoussou, Head of Survivors Speak OUT.

The Committee’s eighty-first session is being held from 28 October to 22 November. Documents relating to the Committee’s work for the session, including reports submitted by States parties, are available on the session’s webpage. Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, and webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

The Committee will next meet in public on Thursday, 14 November at 3 p.m. to conclude its consideration of the sixth periodic report of Cameroon (CAT/C/CMR/6).

https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2024/11/committee-against-torture-commemorates-fortieth-anniversary-convention-against-torture

14 November 2024