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