Mauritius: CAT raises concerns over torture legal gaps, harsh detention conditions, and vulnerable group protection
During the 82nd Session of the Committee Against Torture (CAT), on Wednesday, 9 April, and Thursday, 10 April 2025, the CAT reviewed the 5th periodic report of Mauritius under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
The country rapporteurs were Ms. Naoko Maeda and Mr. Bakhtiyar Tuzmukhamedov.
The Mauritius delegation was led by Mr. Gavin Patrick Cyril Glover, Attorney-General of Mauritius.
Main Issues Discussed
The Committee expressed concern over Mauritius' incomplete incorporation of the Convention Against Torture (CAT) into domestic law, specifically highlighting that certain provisions in the Mauritian Constitution, such as Section 7, undermine the absolute prohibition of torture, raising concerns about potential exemptions that may allow torture-like practices. Moreover, the Committee flagged the need to ensure that confessions and other statements obtained through torture or ill-treatment are deemed inadmissible as evidence in practice.
The Committee also addressed the detention conditions in Mauritius, including inadequate separation of pretrial detainees from convicted individuals, limited access to personal hygiene and medical care (including mental health services), and lack of contact with the outside world for women prisoners. There were specific concerns about the prolonged periods of pretrial detention and the inadequate legal safeguards during this period, including the absence of time-bound judicial reviews and the high costs of access to legal representation for detainees.
Furthermore, the Committee raised issues regarding the protection of vulnerable groups, including human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers. It pointed out increasing reports of arbitrary arrests, harassment, and violence against these groups. Similarly, the Committee expressed concern over the discrimination and inhuman and degrading treatment of Chagossians resulting from their forced displacement. The Committee also highlighted the prevalence of human trafficking, particularly sex and labor trafficking, and urged Mauritius to strengthen its prevention and response mechanisms, ensuring that victims receive adequate protection and support.
The CAT’s recommendations are available here.
Follow-up Recommendations
The State party should provide information by the 2nd of May 2026 on the implementation of recommendations regarding:
- Incorporate the full criminalisation of torture in national legislation.
- Ensure the independence of the Independent Police Complaints Commission from executive powers, and further strengthen prompt, impartial investigations into all cases of torture and ill-treatment by police.
- Improve the conditions of detention.
Watch here the video recordings (part one and part two), of the dialogue with the CAT.