The committee against torture cat is a body of human rights experts that monitors implementation of the united nations convention against torture by state parties. September 27, 2019 race, criminal justice, and human rights the united nations association southern new york state division unasny is dedicated to building a strong network of global citizens in support of the united nations. A handbook on the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment volume 9 of international studies in human rights. Convention against torture houston immigration lawyers law. List of states which have signed or ratified the convention against.
Torture is a particularly serious violation of human rights and, as such, is strictly condemned by international law and, in particular, by the universal declaration of human rights, article 5, which states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The united nations convention against torture manfred nowak. The committee against torture monitors its implementation by states. The definitions in this subsection incorporate the definition of torture contained in article 1 of the convention against torture, subject to the reservations, understandings, declarations, and provisos contained in the united states senate resolution of ratification of the convention. Cat is codified in article 3 of the united nations convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
The united nations convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment convention against torture was adopted in 1984 and entered into force in 1987. The convention entered into force on 26 june 1987 after it had been ratified by 20 states. Oct 20, 2009 the committee also had before it a report of the committee against torture document a6444, which is mandated by the united nations torture convention to examine reports of torture being. Ireland and the convention against torture home ihrec. The convention against torture essay 1122 words bartleby. Human rights of women and gender in the context of united nations conferences and their followup. The population at risk to torture is those people detained by the state. The united nations convention against torture uncat is the only legally binding convention at the universal level concerned exclusively with the eradication of torture. Analysis on the impact of austerity and the prohibition. Working group on the new human rights and equality commission. The main objective of the convention is to lay down obligations on states parties to establish and exercise jurisdiction over the crime of torture. Organized in 1906, the asil is a taxexempt, nonpro. Convention against torture cat, but theres not much cause for celebration. Protocol to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading.
Therefore, prevention is needed everywhere and at all times. In practice, international human rights regimes have different levels of institutionality 25. Cti regional meeting in accra, ghana, in april 2016, and provided an important opportunity to combine. At the end of this process, the committee will make recommendations to the uk and devolved governments setting out the actions they need to take to comply with the convention. Like withholding of removal, it can only be granted by an immigration judge ij, and not by an asylum officer. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punish ment. Oct 21, 2014 tuesday marked the 20 th anniversary of the u. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by general assembly resolution 3946 of 10 december 1984 entry into force 26 june 1987, in accordance with article 27 1 the states parties to this convention. Convention against torture united nations office of legal. Adopted by the general assembly of the united nations on 10 decem ber 1984 authentic texts. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or. The provisions of this convention are without prejudice to the provisions of any other international instrument or national law which prohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or which relates to extradition or expulsion. The united nations committee against torture is responsible for monitoring the compliance of states with their duties under the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment henceforth referred to as the convention. Nations, recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human.
The convention against torture is the most important international human rights treaty that deals exclusively with torture. The convention entered into force on 26 june 1987, in accordance with its article 27, paragraph 1, following the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification. The drafting history of article 2 of the convention against torture. Pdf this paper addresses a puzzle discovered by hathaway 2002, 2003a,b. How effective is the united nations committee against torture. How to apply for convention against torture protection by dagmar r. United nations audiovisual library of international law. How to apply for convention against torture protection nolo. The office of the special adviser on the prevention of genocide has developed an analysis framework that it uses to determine whether there may be a risk of genocide in a given situation. Convention against torture how is convention against.
Discrimination against women, the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the convention on the rights of the child, and the international. The convention was established to make more effective the struggle against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment throughout the world. Many countries around the world have ratified the convention, including the uk in 1988. Convention against torture next generation treaty that. Office of the united nations high commissioner for human rights. The convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment the torture convention was adopted by the general assembly of the united nations on 10 december 1984 resolution 3946. The association for the prevention of torture apt is an independent ngo based in. The convention against torture, otherwise referred to as cat, is a special form of protection given to individuals who cannot return to their country because he or she would be in danger of torture. Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and its optional protocol.
The united nations convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment cat requires signatory parties to take measures to end torture within their territorial jurisdictions. This short video explains what the opcat is all about. The states parties to this convention, considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the charter of the united nations, recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. The convention obligates countries who have signed the treaty to prohibit and prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in all circumstances. The convention against torture obliges states to take preventive measures. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The convention against torture is the most comprehensive international treaty dealing with torture. Arabic, chinese, english, french, russian and spanish. Relief under cat relief under the convention against torture cat is the third form of relief an individual fearing persecution can seek. The committee, on 22 october 1974, adopted a draft resolution on torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in. Adopted by the general assembly of the united nations on 10 december. Her career includes work for the united nations, us congress, oxfords global. Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
Based on the success of this first manual to bolster the ratification process of the optional. The convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment the torture convention was adopted by the general assembly of the united nations on 10 december. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading. Offers thorough articlebyarticle commentary with historical context and analysis of relevant caselaw from monitoring bodies, and international, regional, and domestic courts. The joint committee on human rights is appointed by the house of lords and. Opcat optional protocol to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
For purposes of the convention, torture is defined as an extreme form of cruel and inhuman punishment committed under the color of law. The convention against torture sets out a definition of torture. United nations convention against torture wikipedia. Interamerican convention to prevent and punish torture. Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment o ii. We want to ensure that a wide range of civil society organisations engage in this. Using shadow reports for advocacy new tactics in human. The interamerican convention defines torture more expansively than the united nations convention against torture, including the use of methods upon a person intended to obliterate the personality of the victim or to diminish his physical or mental capacities, even if they do not cause physical pain or mental anguish. The convention is an international legal agreement that aims to tackle and prevent the use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Is still violating the antitorture treaty it signed. The united nations convention against torture a commentary manfred nowak and elizabeth mcarthur oxford commentaries on international law.
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