In international human rights law, torture, as well as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, cause grave human rights violations and is therefore banned at all times, in all places, including in times of war. The prohibition of torture has been universally stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and complemented in the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT) and its Optional Protocol.[1]
Although most Asian states have ratified the CAT, “torture is an 'expanding scourge' in Asia”.[2]
In that context, an online conference titled “Combating Torture in Asia: Law and Practice” will be hosted on 18th and 19th May 2021 by:
- Asian Law Centre, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne
- School of Law, Vietnam National University Hanoi
- Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN)
- Graduate Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam
The themes of the online conference will include:
- Overview of opportunities and challenges in combating torture in Asia
- Promoting an effective legal framework for combating torture
- Developing a control mechanism of torture
- Investigating allegations of torture
- Interviewing torture victims and witnesses
- Training public officials on combating torture
- Cooperating with international mechanisms in combating torture
- Monitoring places of detention
- Raising public awareness on combating torture
- The role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society in combating torture
- Public inquiries in combating torture
[1] Preventing Torture: An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions
© Copyright OHCHR, APT and APF May 2010. At https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/NHRI/Torture_Prevention_Guide.pdf
[2] HRW: Torture is an 'expanding scourge' in Asia, https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/06/26/hrw-torture-expanding-scourge-asia
Call for Papers
We invite scholars and practitioners working in the following areas to submit abstracts that would fit within the broad themes of the conference. The themes of the online conference will include:
- Overview of opportunities and challenges in combating torture in Asia
- Promoting an effective legal framework for combating torture
- Developing a control mechanism of torture
- Investigating allegations of torture
- Interviewing torture victims and witnesses
- Training public officials on combating torture
- Cooperating with international mechanisms in combating torture
- Monitoring places of detention
- Raising public awareness on combating torture
- The role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society in combating torture
- Public inquiries in combating torture
Details about requirements of abstracts and papers are available via the link below:
Submission of Abstracts
Authors should submit a 300-400 word abstract, which includes a title of the proposed paper and his/her short biographical details (including name, email, academic appointment, affiliations). Abstracts are to be submitted by 2 April 2021 via the link below:
Conference Program
The conference will take place on 18-19 May, 2021
Melbourne time - GMT+10: 11:30am-3:30pm
Hanoi time - GMT+7: 8:30am-12:30pm
Jakarta time - GMT+7: 8:30am-12:30pm
Kuala Lumpur time - GMT+8: 9:30am-1:30pm
Manila time - GMT+8: 9:30am-1:30pm
Conference Proceedings
Papers to be presented
Conference Registration
- This conference is jointly organised by:
- School of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
- Asian Law Centre, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne
- Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network
- Graduate Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam
- Please direct queries about the conference to:
Kathryn Taylor (in English) or
Giao, Vucong (in Vietnamese)