UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

55^th session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

7 March 2024

EU statement

Madam Special Rapporteur,

40 years ago this year, the General Assembly adopted a landmark convention, a collective blueprint guiding States on how to effectively prohibit and prevent all forms of torture and ill-treatment. As of today, 173 States have pledged themselves to achieve the objectives of the Convention, including all EU member States. The absolute prohibition of torture has since been recognized as a jus cogens norm from which no derogation is permitted.

The EU would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for your work to increase awareness and advice States on how to make this absolute prohibition of torture a reality in all parts of the world. We share your concern over the increase in police violence against peaceful protesters, and the use of torture and intimidation to quash political opposition and dissent. We also agree that crime prevention, diversion and the use of alternatives to imprisonment, must remain of high priority for the prevention of torture and other ill-treatment.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

In light of the 40 Anniversary of the Convention the EU would like to ask; What main obstacles and challenges have you observed for States in ratifying it and how these could be overcome? On the specifics of the report, could you elaborate on minimum requirements in ensuring that prison management complies with the principles of non-discrimination and equality?