Annual Report 2024
02

Committee Against Torture (CAT)

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representatives of civil society groups were assisted by OMCT during private briefings, which took place before the review of 16 States.

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reports to the CAT containing first-hand information on the main risks and challenges related to torture and other ill-treatment in Cameroon, Jordan, Mongolia, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Türkiye, and Honduras.

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out of the 247 recommendations made by OMCT and its partners were taken up by the CAT in its Concluding Recommendations.

40th Anniversary of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

On 26 June 2024, to kick off the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted on 10 December 1984, the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC) launched a multimedia initiative entitled Voices for Human Dignity. The campaign highlighted the stories and perspectives of torture experts, survivors, and human rights advocates.


In November, OMCT, with the support of the UATC, hosted an event marking the 40th anniversary of the CAT, with participation from the Committee Against Torture and the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. The reception included a preview of the Global Torture Index, a pioneering tool designed to assess annually the risk of torture and ill-treatment across countries worldwide. During its pilot phase in 2024, it was implemented in 21 countries spanning all five regions. More than 60 members and partners of the SOS-Torture Network from these countries collaborated on this joint effort, contributing to data collection and expert analysis.

The UN anti-torture bodies held anniversary-related events throughout the year, coupled with stories featuring survivors and activists. A high-level event on 14 November, with the participation of the Secretary-General of OMCT, including the launch of a training guide on State reporting under the Convention Against Torture.

OMCT undertook seven missions to foster engagement with the CAT and the effective implementation of international anti-torture standards.

Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand

In Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand, consultations and meetings were organized with local CSOs working on torture, gender-based violence, and child rights, among other topics, in the preparation of reports ahead of State reviews.

Honduras

In February, OMCT conducted a visit to Honduras before the review by the CAT, in collaboration with Honduran network members and partners. In visits to various places of detention, we documented instances of torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances, committed by military and police forces in the framework of the state of emergency.

Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, OMCT promoted the implementation of the CAT priority follow-up recommendations issued in May 2023, including the need for accountability for widespread torture and other ill-treatment during the events of January 2020, known as “Bloody January”. An in-person workshop was conducted, jointly with the OHCHR Regional Office in Central Asia and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, on the implementation of UN Treaty Body views on individual communications.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, in the framework of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, on 26 June, OMCT participated in an international forum to raise awareness on the need to address torture and align regulations and practices in the framework of the state of emergency with the recommendations issued by the CAT in 2022.

Chad

In September 2024, an OMCT delegation went on a high-level mission to Chad, following the review of the country by the CAT in 2022. The delegation met with the Prime Minister of Chad, who, in the meeting, expressly recalled and committed to the absolute character of the prohibition of torture. The delegation had the opportunity to conduct a visit to the Klessoum prison in N’Djamena.