torture

UN rights expert on torture visits Spain on fact-finding mission

6 October 2003
A United Nations human rights expert on torture went to Spain today to meet national and Basque authorities during a five-day fact-finding mission undertaken at the request of the Spanish Government.

Annan calls for all-out effort to stamp out torture

26 June 2003
Declaring that “the sad truth is that we have a long way to go in stamping out torture,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on all states to ratify the international agreements against the evil, to devise new strategies to combat it and to contribute generously to the UN fund to aid victims.

UN committee urges adoption of expansion of torture treaty

1 May 2003
The United Nations Committee against Torture is urging all States parties to the Convention against Torture (CAT) to adopt an optional protocol that will allow visits to places of detention by an independent subcommittee.

UN human rights chief calls for expanded definition of torture

28 April 2003
Declaring the current definition of torture in international conventions too vague, the top United Nations human rights official said today his office would submit an expanded definition that would show how to draw a line - a red line - that made clear that certain acts were not acceptable.

UN expert committee against torture to open first 2003 session

25 April 2003
The United Nations expert body charged with monitoring worldwide efforts to ensure adequate protection for all persons against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, is set to open its thirtieth annual session in Geneva next week.

UN fund for torture victims appeals for more donations

2 April 2003
Having reached less than one-tenth of its annual target for funding in the first quarter of the year, a United Nations trust fund for victims of torture appealed today for donations to help it reach its minimum goal of $13 million for 2003.