CTI high-level seminar: Ratification and implementation of UNCAT in the Pacific
Location
Natadola, FijiAttendance
Invitation Only
Date & Time
Start: 06/02/19 00:00
End: 08/02/19 00:00
At CTI’s latest major regional event, participants heard that Pacific Island States are committed to living in peaceful communities and to regional universal ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). This was the main message of a two […]
At CTI’s latest major regional event, participants heard that Pacific Island States are committed to living in peaceful communities and to regional universal ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).
This was the main message of a two and a half day high-level seminar on ratification and implementation of UNCAT in the Pacific, held in Natadola, Fiji, from 6-8 February 2019. The Seminar, opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Honourable Mr. Josaia V. Bainimarama, brought together Ministers of Justice, Attorneys General and senior civil servants from eleven Pacific Island States, representatives of the diplomatic community as well as regional and international anti-torture experts.
The high-level participation underlined the importance attached by all countries in the region to UNCAT as a Convention that can assist States to strengthen the fair and effective administration of justice and to prevent and respond to violence and abuse. The Seminar highlighted the strong democratic and rule of law traditions of all countries in the region. All have either constitutional or other legislative prohibitions of torture. Important safeguards against torture and ill-treatment exist in national constitutions as well as police and prisons acts. The strong legal frameworks are complemented by independent judiciaries, upholding the rights of persons and excluding evidence obtained by means of torture from court proceedings.
The Seminar took place from 6-8 February 2019 and was hosted by the Government of Fiji and organized by CTI in partnership with the Universal Rights Group (URG) and the Regional Rights Resource Team of the Pacific Community. It brought together more than 60 participants, including Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General from the Republic of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, the Independent State of Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as well as senior experts from Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Experiences were also shared by representatives of Ghana, Chile, Indonesia, the Republic of the Maldives, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Representatives of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the United Nations, as well as the diplomatic community in Fiji also participated.
