The UN
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT
Convention) is the principal universal reference for
the eradication of torture. It provides authoritative mechanisms to monitor its
effective implementation through the Committee
against Torture (CAT Committee). One
of the mechanisms is the State
reporting process, an important tool to review
compliance with the Convention and to generate political will by offering technical guidance towards
domestic anti-torture reforms.
The effectiveness of this process depends significantly on the involvement of national and local civil society organisations (CSOs): their capacity to inform the CAT Committee on the current implementation of the Convention in their country and their actions towards the implementation of the Concluding Observations.
In 2014, OMCT launched an initiative to mobilise and coordinate the activities of civil society organisations in relation to the CAT Convention and its Committee by supporting:
We are facilitating civil society coordination, including by building coalitions, sharing information, ensuring timely and effective report submissions, mentoring on advocacy opportunities, and supporting access to the CAT Committee in person.
We are expanding the CAT Committee’s reach, including by an E-Bulletin to disseminate and summarize its findings, this Blog to share relevant advice and experiences, a webcast and live tweet of all sessions, and a domestic screening of sessions in select countries.
We are strengthening the capacity of civil society, including by supporting their actions, public outreach and campaigning at the national level, and their interaction with CAT and other UN mechanisms at the international level.
For more information on the CAT Convention and Committee, please refer to our FAQ.
For a compiled list of dates on the reporting cycle for State parties, please refer to our CAT Reporting Table.
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