Human Rights Council: Invitation to a side event on Torture, National Security and Accountability, 7 March 2011 With the participation of Mr. Juan E. Méndez, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

TheWorld Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the

InternationalCommission of Jurists (ICJ)

cordiallyinvite you to a parallel event to the 16th Regular Sessionof the Human Rights Council on

TORTURE,NATIONAL SECURITY and ACCOUNTABILITY

Monday7thMarch 2011, 3pm – 5pm

RoomXXVII

Palaisdes Nations, Geneva

Mr.Juan E. Méndez

UNSpecial Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or DegradingTreatment or Punishment

Mr.Gerald Staberock

DeputySecretary General, World Organisation Against Torture

Mr.Tad Stahnke

Directorof Policy and Programs, Human Rights First

Mr.Alex Conte

Representativeto the UN, International Commission of Jurists (Moderator)

Thelack of legal accountability for serious human rights violationscommitted in the name of national security, suchas torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,remain today an important unaddressed challenge in the globalresponse to terrorism. If not addressed, it risks undermining thefoundations of the UN human rights framework as well as thelegitimacy of counter-terrorism and national security laws andpolicies.

Theparallel event will take stock of practical and legal impediments toaccountability, such as national security doctrines, state secrecyinvocations or the protection of intelligence information. It willseek to identify ways forward for the UN Human Rights Council and itsindependent mandates in upholding the right to remedy and reparationunder international law and fostering fully accountable nationalsecurity responses.

Forfurther information, please contact Alexandra Kossin (ak@omct.org)or Alex Conte (alex.conte@icj.org)