COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE OPENS FIFTEENTH SESSION

14 November 1995

Press Release
HR/4221

COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE OPENS FIFTEENTH SESSION

19951114 To Review Measures by Denmark, Senegal, Guatemala, United Kingdom, Armenia and Colombia to Carry Out Provisions of Convention Against Torture

GENEVA, 13 November (United Nations Information Service) -- The Committee against Torture began its fifteenth session this morning at the Palais des Nations, by adopting its agenda and its programme of work. The Committee is charged with monitoring the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. During its session, it will review the measures adopted by Denmark, Senegal, Guatemala, the United Kingdom, Armenia and Colombia to prevent and punish acts of torture.

Also this morning, the Committee was briefed on the results of the various readings by the open-ended working group on the draft Optional Protocol to the Convention. The Committee's Rapporteur, Bent Sorensen, expert from Denmark, who participated in the meeting of the working group, said that the process for the realization of the protocol might take more than 10 years. Its aim would be to reinforce preventive measures against torture through field inspections of States parties by experts who would be designated for that purpose.

During the two-week session, the Committee will also examine, in closed meetings, information appearing to contain well-founded indications that torture was being systematically practiced in a State party to the Convention. It will also consider communications from individuals claiming to be victims of a violation by a State party of the provisions of the Convention.

In ratifying or acceding to the Convention, States undertake to submit reports on the measures they have taken to implement it. States are invited to send representatives to attend the meetings during which their reports are considered.

Following its public meeting, the Committee met briefly to consider information and communications received under articles 20 and 22 of the Convention.

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