torture

Special Rapporteur Ben Emmerson.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN rights experts criticize proposed UK investigation into torture allegations

24 December 2013
Two United Nations human rights experts today criticized the British Government’s decision to replace an independent judge-led inquiry into the United Kingdom’s involvement in torture and abuses of people detained overseas in counter-terrorism operations with a parliamentary inquiry.
Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

UN rights experts concerned about fate of Guantánamo detainee transferred to Algeria

10 December 2013
Two independent United Nations human rights experts have voiced concern about the fate of Djamel Ameziane, who was recently transferred by the United States from the Guantánamo Bay detention centre to Algeria, from which he fled two decades ago to escape persecution.
Claudio Grossman, Chairperson of the Committee Against Torture.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Independent UN expert urges Ghana to re-think criminal justice, mental health practices

18 November 2013
An independent United Nations human rights expert today voiced deep concern about the situation of overcrowding in prisons in Ghana which is leading to other rights violations such as poor hygiene and risk of diseases.
Special Rapporteur on torture Juan E. Méndez.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN rights experts urge review of standards for treatment of prisoners

16 October 2013
United Nations human rights experts today urged a review of the universally accepted global principles and practices for the treatment of prisoners and management of penitentiary institutions, particularly decrying the use of solitary confinement.
Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
UN Photo

UN rights office welcomes Tunisian law on national anti-torture body

11 October 2013
Welcoming the adoption by the National Constituent Assembly of Tunisia of a law on setting up a national body to prevent torture, the United Nations human rights Office hailed the decision as an “important milestone” in the country’s ongoing transition.
Special Rapporteur on torture Juan E. Méndez.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Four decades in solitary confinement amounts to torture, UN expert tells US authorities

7 October 2013
An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on the United States to immediately end the indefinite solitary confinement imposed on Albert Woodfox for the past four decades.
Special Rapporteur on torture Juan E. Méndez.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

DR Congo: UN welcomes progress in ending impunity for torture

9 July 2013
The United Nations has welcomed the progress made in the fight against torture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following the enactment two years ago of a law criminalizing the practice.
Torture victims undergo rehabilitation at the African Centre for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts, in Senegal. The centre is funded by the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
OHCHR

On International Day, UN chief, rights experts urge broad support for victims of torture

26 June 2013
To mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined with United Nations independent human rights experts urging Member States to step up efforts to promote a victim-centred approach which includes access to redress and rehabilitation services.
Special Rapporteur on torture Juan E. Méndez.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert warns against abuse of solitary confinement in the Americas

13 March 2013
The United Nations expert on torture has called on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to investigate the practise of solitary confinement and its harmful effects in the Americas, particularly in Latin America, and urged stronger regulation of its use.
Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

UN rights office calls for investigation into video showing torture of two men in Fiji

8 March 2013
The United Nations human rights office today expressed shock by the content of a video showing the apparent torture of two men in Fiji, and called on the Government to ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted and the victims protected.