27.08.25

Presentation of the candidates to the Committee Against Torture (CAT) - 2025 Elections

©Jean-Marc Ferre Flickr

Elections to the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) will take place on 1 October 2025. Five seats are available, and 10 candidates – as of 27 August 2025 –, 6 men and 4 women, have been nominated by the States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter, the Convention). In order to promote strengthening of the membership, transparency around the elections as well as equal opportunity, Amnesty International, Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP), GQUAL, International Federation of ACATs (FIACAT), International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), REDRESS, Omega Research Foundation, and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) are organising a virtual dialogue amongst interested candidates and States Parties.

The Committee against Torture serves a crucial function in guiding States parties on the implementation of the Convention. Members are elected for a term of four years and are expected to remain independent and impartial throughout their membership, as set out in the Convention and General Assembly resolution 68/268. These members should be considered persons of “high moral standing” with “recognized competence and experience in the field of human rights, in particular in the field covered by the relevant treaty”” (article 17 and para. 10 of 68/268). The election of candidates should give due consideration to the current composition of the Committee to ensure diversity, gender balance, geographic representation and the presence of complementary professional backgrounds. It is important to promote a balanced representation within the Committee, as this will have a crucial impact on the legitimacy and effectiveness of the main human rights body addressing torture and other ill-treatment globally.

The event will consist of two main segments:

  1. Candidate introductions: Each candidate will briefly present themselves, including their name, nationality, a brief overview of their professional background and relevant expertise and their vision to strengthen the prevention of and protection from torture and other ill-treatment.
  2. Interactive Q & A: Following the introductions, States Parties will have the opportunity to pose brief, general questions directed to all candidates. The remaining time will be allocated equally among candidates who wish to respond.‌

🗓 Date: 4 September 2025

🕑 Time: 1:00–3:00 PM CEST (Geneva time)

🔗 Register here: Zoom Registration Link

In addition, a questionnaire, with input from civil society organisations (CSOs) engaging with the CAT, has been circulated to all nominees, in order to gather more information about the candidates’ merits, satisfaction of the requirements, and their views on current and future contribution to the CAT’s work. The candidates answers are available below :