OMCT E-bulletin : 51st session of the Committee against Torture - November 2013
OMCT E-bulletin - November 2013
51st session of the Committee against Torture
During its 51st session (28 October to 22 November 2013) the Committee against Torture examined the State reports from Andorra, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mozambique, Portugal, Poland and Uzbekistan.
The Committee also adopted List of Issues prior to reporting of Belarus, Germany and Ireland.
E-bulletin Contents
· Review of the States
· OMCT and Gmedia
· Next session
Burkina Faso – Need to define and criminalise torture in domestic legislation
Burkina Faso’s initial report was presented twelve years late. The Committee recalled that the first step to give effect to the Convention was to define and criminalise torture. The experts were particularly concerned about the duration a person can be kept under police custody without access to a lawyer. [Read more]
Poland – Too little progress in investigation regarding CIA secret prisons and extraordinary rendition
Several Committee members raised the issue of Poland’s complicity in the CIA rendition, secret detention programme, as well as the use of confession made under torture. At the core of its concern were the lack of progress in investigating and prosecuting the cases of complicity into torture and in ensuring overall accountability for this policy. [Read more]
Andorra – Call for reducing the number of persons held in pre-trial detention
During the initial report of Andorra, the Committee was concerned that the crime of torture is subject to a statute of limitations, which may result in impunity for perpetrators of acts of torture.
Belgium – Serious concern about State’s reliance on diplomatic assurances
Prison overcrowding and condition of detention were raised as prime concerns during the session. Another major focus of discussion was State’s reliance on diplomatic assurances to justify the deportation of foreign nationals when there is a risk of torture or ill-treatment.
Kyrgyzstan – Failure to redress widespread torture and culture of impunity
The Committee was deeply concerned about the on-going and widespread practice of torture as well as the persistent pattern of failure to investigate these allegations. The State should immediately, thoroughly, and impartially investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment and prosecute those who are responsible. [Read more]
Latvia – Call to abolish statute of limitations for the crime of torture
The Committee challenged the statute of limitations for the crime of torture in Latvia, which it considered incompatible with the absolute nature of the prohibition of torture and recommended to be lifted. [Read more]
Mozambique – Serious concerns about the lack of implementation of the Convention
The experts examined the implementation of the Convention in Mozambique for the first time. They urged the State to enact legislation defining and criminalising torture. The experts also expressed their deep concern about allegations of extrajudicial executions by members of police in full impunity. [Read more]
Portugal – Length of pre-trial detention and use of solitary confinement to be addressed urgently
The Committee took note with satisfaction the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). Alleged complicity into extraordinary renditions was discussed at length during the session, with a particular focus on the investigations undertaken into the alleged State’s involvement in rendition flights. [Read more]
Uzbekistan – Nothing changed: widespread torture, impunity and threats to defenders
During the session, the Uzbek delegation in a rarely seen aggressiveness sought to dismiss allegations of torture and challenge CAT’s ability to rely on independent sources of information. The Committee recalled its independence and Claudio Grossman, CAT chairperson, reminded the State delegation that it was fully within its mandate to identify the questions to be asked and the issues to be raised, that it would then evaluate on the basis of its information and the answers provided. The overriding issue remains widespread use of torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement and prison officials as well as full impunity. [Read more]
OMCT and GMEDIA organized their third workshop for journalists on “Media Empowerment Against Torture” from 4 to 8 November 2013. [Read more]
Next session (5 – 23 May 2014)
Consideration of State reports:
· Cyprus
· Holy See
· Guinea (non-reporting State)
· Thailand
· Uruguay
The deadline for NGO submissions is 18 April 2014.
List of Issues (LOIs) to be adopted:
· Burundi
The deadline for NGO submissions is 21 February 2014.
List of Issues prior to reporting (LOIPR) to be adopted:
· Greece
· Mexico
· Norway
· Peru
NGOs submissions must be sent no later than 2 months before the opening of the session.
OMCT E-bulletin is realised with the financial aid of the European Union and the Foundation Oak. The content of the document lies in the responsibility of the OMCT only and cannot by considered as reflecting the position of the European Union or the Foundation Oak.