Geneva, 12 December 2016 – A five person delegation from Grenada undertook from 6 to 8 December a CTI Study Visit to Geneva to learn more about benefits of ratifying the UN Convention against Torture

As a follow-up to a CTI diplomatic delegation visit to Grenada in July 2016, five senior officials from Grenada’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry for Legal Affairs, and the Police and Prison Services were in Geneva last week to explore further the possibilities of ratifying the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

Speaking after the study visit, Mr. Michael Mitchell, Chargé d’affaires, Permanent Mission of Grenada to the UN in New York and Head of the Grenada study visit delegation, stated: “Our study visit and engagement with the CTI has been very enlightening and we leave Geneva with a sense of empowerment that will translate into action towards UNCAT ratification.”

The three-day programme included:

• Meetings with the CTI core States – Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco – to share experiences of ratification, post-ratification implementation and reporting to the Committee against Torture;
• Learning about the substantive, procedural and ratification articles of the UNCAT and discussing elements of a post-ratification roadmap, in sessions with the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT);
• Meeting with the Chair of the UN Committee against Torture, as well as the capacity building team of OHCHR, and exploring how Grenada could meet their reporting obligations efficiently; and
• Discussing bilaterally with other States, including the United Kingdom, who shared their national experiences and good practices on UNCAT ratification and implementation.

The delegation also shared some national practices and challenges. Mr. Michael Gabriel Finbar Charles, Training Officer, Her Majesty’s Prisons, Grenada, noted that: “As a small island State, we want to create a better world for our people, including when a person interacts with law enforcement and other public officials”.

The delegation highlighted that Grenada has been taking steps to standardize and modernize investigation and interviewing practices by law enforcement, and has put in place procedures on prison safety and a programme for prisoner rehabilitation. Grenada has also developed its own informal detention monitoring mechanism, including representatives from civil society, which makes regular visits to the prison.

The CTI was very pleased with the productive visit and the commitment of the Government of Grenada, and looks forward to supporting Grenada’s efforts to ratify the UNCAT.

Read more about CTI’s Study Visits here.

If you are interested in undertaking a CTI Study Visit, please contact Head of the CTI Secretariat, Dr. Alice Edwards, aedwards@cti2024.org