torture

Van Boven briefs press

Many countries still appear willing to use torture, warns UN human rights official

27 October 2004
Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment continue to be meted out by many States, often in the name of fighting terrorism, a United Nations human rights expert warns as he calls for a complete prohibition on the practice.
Theo van Boven

UN human rights official deplores executions in Uzbekistan

13 September 2004
Deploring the reported execution in Uzbekistan of people allegedly tortured into confessing and the government's disregard of United Nations pleas for a stay, a senior UN human rights official today called on the Central Asian country to set a moratorium on the death penalty and urgently consider abolishing it.

Prohibition of torture 'absolute,' UN officials reaffirm

26 June 2004
Secretary-General Kofi Annan led a chorus of United Nations human rights officials and experts denouncing torture today, saying that international prohibitions against such cruel treatment are absolute and apply whether in peacetime or war.

UN expert committee against torture to open first 2004 session

3 May 2004
The United Nations expert panel charged with monitoring worldwide efforts to ensure adequate protection for all persons against torture and other cruel or degrading treatment or punishment opened its thirty-second annual session today in Geneva.