Universal campaign to ratify UN Convention against Torture''s treaty

GENEVA, May 7 (KUNA) -- In a campaign for universal ratification of the Convention against Torture's treaty, several leading human rights organizations called on the remaining 42 member-states of the UN Committee against Torture to join and recognize the full competence of the treaty.
The Convention against Torture, ratified by 153 countries, is the only treaty at the international level concerned exclusively with the eradication of torture around the world. By ratifying the convention, States commit to making torture a crime; ensure accountability for perpetrators, and to provide redress for torture victims.
The Convention also requires States parties to take effective measures to prevent all forms of torture and ill-treatment of people deprived of their liberty.
In a joint effort, international NGO's are addressing the remaining States to encourage them to join the Convention and make it the first universally-ratified human rights treaty - and a great step towards a world free from torture.
Of the countries that have not yet ratified the UN Convention against Torture, almost all have made voluntary pledges to consider ratification, especially in the context of the regular Universal Periodic Review by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.
The undersigned organizations; therefore, called on all States which are not yet parties to the Convention to seize the opportunity of the 25th anniversary of the Committee against Torture, celebrated tomorrow, and take this necessary step towards the global eradication of torture.
The Committee against Torture (CAT) is a body of human rights experts that monitors implementation of the Convention by State parties. The Committee is one of eight UN-linked human rights treaty bodies. All state parties are obliged under the Convention to submit regular reports to CAT on how rights are being implemented. (end) ta.nfm KUNA 071303 May 13NNNN