On 10 December 2014 the international community celebrates the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by the United Nations General Assembly.

To mark this anniversary, the Committee against Torture, the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) and other partners will organize a meeting with panel discussions.

The meeting will bring together United Nations Member States, United Nations mechanisms against torture, non-governmental organizations, regional organisations.

Programme

Download the detailed programme. The event will consist of presentations and discussions by the speakers outlined below:

Opening remarks: Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights

Written message: Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary General

Introduction and conclusions: Mr. Claudio Grossman, Chairperson of the Committee against torture

Panel 1: Promoting the universal ratification of the Convention

Moderator:

Ms. Essadia Belmir, Vice-chairperson of the Committee against Torture

Panellists:

H.E. Mr. Carsten Staur, Ambassador of Denmark,

Mr. Juan Méndez,

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture;

Mr. Lawrence Murugu Mute,

Chairperson of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa;

Mr. Emmanuel Decaux, Chairperson of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances;

Mr. Mark Thomson, Secretary General of the Association for the Prevention of Torture.

Panel 2: Implementing the Convention’s provisions by States parties

Moderator:

Ms.Felice Gaer, Vice-chairperson of the Committee against Torture

Panellists:

Representative of the Permanent Mission of Morocco;

Mr. Milos Jankovic, Member of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture;

Mr. Mauro Palma, former President of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture;

Mr. Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the World Organization Against Torture.

Ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
August 2014

Click here and find out how far your country has implemented the Committee’s recommendations.

A special thank to the initiators of the Convention against Torture Initiative who have supported this celebration.

Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Convention against Torture