an Eldis Resource
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Convention which seeks to build on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to outlaw torture and other degrading treatments
Authors:
; United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Publisher:
United Nations High Commission for Human Rights , 1984
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) was adopted by the UN's General Assembly in 1984 and entered into force in 1987. As of December 2002 there were 132 ratifications. CAT seeks to build on article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Ratifying states are required to "take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction" (Article 2). States are also prevented from returning people to other states where there are "substantial grounds" to believe that they might be subject to torture (Article 3). Furthermore, ratifying states are obliged to ensure that law enforcement personnel, military personnel, medical officers, public officials and any others who may be involved in detention or interrogation are fully aware of the prohibition against torture (Article 10). Finally, ratifying states have to ensure that in cases of torture or alleged torture, the victim has access to a fair legal hearing (Articles 13 and 14).
Ratifying states are obliged to ensure that domestic law is consistent with the provisions of the Convention. The Committee against Torture is a UN body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Convention, and to whom ratifying states must submit periodic reports.
