torture

‘Widely practised’ police torture in Paraguay must be fully criminalized: UN expert

30 November 2006
Torture is still widely used in police custody in Paraguay, an independent United Nations rights expert has warned, calling for the practice to be fully criminalized, measures put in place to prevent it, and all perpetrators to be prosecuted.

New pact allowing surprise visits to detention centres hailed by UN official

6 November 2006
A landmark pact allowing experts to visit detention centres unannounced in a bid to protect against torture and a forthcoming draft convention protecting disabled persons both highlight recent outstanding human rights achievements, a senior United Nations official told an international meeting in Geneva today.

States still show a ‘lack of awareness’ over torture but it must be criminalized: UN expert

23 October 2006
States are still showing a “lack of awareness” over the seriousness of torture, despite the fact they are obligated to criminalize the practice, an independent United Nations expert said today, warning that few cases are ever brought to justice and where they are, the perpetrators generally get away with minor sentences.

UN, in a worldwide day of focus, calls for end to ‘ugly stain’ of torture

26 June 2006
While cruel and degrading treatment of fellow human beings has been unequivocally banned by international agreement, torture is now tolerated by governments around the globe and must end, United Nations officials asserted in statements marking an international day against the scourge today.
Louise Arbour

Landmark new protocol to enhance UN anti-torture treaty enters into force

22 June 2006
The United Nations treaty against torture gained additional teeth today with the entry into force of a mechanism that allows visits by independent international and national bodies to prisons and other places where people are deprived of liberty.