About CTI
An inter-governmental initiative to strengthen institutions, policies and practices and reduce the risks of torture and ill-treatment by applying the UN Convention against Torture
The adoption of the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) in 1984, was a landmark in the global fight against torture and ill-treatment. The Convention underlines a fundamental principle: Torture is never, under any circumstances, justified.
Galvanized by the persistence and entrenchment use of torture and ill-treatment in many countries, the Convention against Torture Initiative – CTI – is an innovative, joint collaboration between States for States, focusing on making the UNCAT universally ratified and better implemented by 2024.
At CTI, we aspire to strengthen institutions, policies and practices for dignified and rule-based governance and to reduce and prevent the risks of torture and ill-treatment through:
- dialogue and exchange
- technical assistance; capacity-building support and institution-strengthening
- sharing evidence-based recommendations, expert advice and best practices
- developing , compiling and translating practical examples, experiences,tools, resources and other material
- convening seminars, conferences and workshops
- hosting information and knowledge dissemination and awareness raising
The CTI is a long-term engagement to help States overcome obstacles in ratifying and implementing the Convention based on the philosophy of constructive (“no name, no shame”) dialogue, sharing of good practices and State experiences, and inspiring each other to better performance across the board. Through strong partnerships and inter State cooperation, CTI is providing coordinated and sustained support through legal and technical advice and assistance.
CTI supports governments in overcoming particular challenges standing in the way of UNCAT implementation such as gaps in resource, human capacity and technical expertise. CTI’s capacity building and other support packages are geared for ODA-recipient countries.
Core States
CTI is being spearheaded by the Governments of Chile, Denmark, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco, supported by a full-time Secretariat, based in Geneva. The six CTI Core States leading the initiative are engaged through their direct bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, as well as through sharing and exchanging on national practices and challenges with other governments by hosting and participating in various activities.
Learn more about the CTI Core States here.
The CTI Secretariat provides policy and strategic advice to the CTI Core States and delivers an annual programme of activities providing capacity building and technical advice.
Learn more about the CTI Secretariat here.
The Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) is a strategic partner of the CTI, collaborating and advising the CTI on many of its activities.
Group of Friends
The CTI’s work is encouraged and bolstered through our Group of Friends, a network based cooperation allowing for the exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas regarding how best to overcome obstacles to full implementation of UNCAT .
Learn more about the CTI Group of Friends and how to join here.
The General Assembly, welcomes and acknowledges the work of the Convention against Torture Initiative, launched in March 2014 on the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention, to achieve the universal ratification and improved implementation of the Convention by 2021 [-]
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/74/143 of 2019
Operating Principles
To reach its goal and objectives, CTI works by a principled framework of action consisting of three fundamental principles:
- Constructive: CTI takes a constructive approach to the drive for ratification and implementation of UNCAT. We do not “name and shame.” Instead, we offer practical support and advice to governments in their efforts to ratify and implement the Convention.
- Twinning: CTI is an initiative by and for equal government partners, encouraging the exchange of states experiences and knowledge and learning from others faced with similar challenges.
- Inspirational: CTI will inspire , facilitate and motivate. Inspire countries by exposing them to the experience of other countries; facilitate by creating a platform for informal meetings with experts and through the development of useful tools and motivate by highlighting – in the UN and to the public – government efforts to ratify and implement the Convention.
History
In launching the CTI in March 2014, the Governments of Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco appealed to fellow United Nations Member States the need to protect all persons from torture and ill-treatment – in all parts of the world. To do so would require new thinking, constructive collaboration and shared responsibilities.
Based on this vision and marking the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UNCAT, the Foreign Ministers of Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco launched the Convention against Torture Initiative – the CTI – on 3 March 2014 at a high level meeting during the 25th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
At the 40th session of the Human Rights Council – and at the half-way milestone of the CTI and the 35th year of the Convention – Fiji joined the CTI Core States, driving ratification and implementation in the Pacific and beyond.
Find the launch documents here: an op-ed was issued in Swiss newspaper Le Temps by the five Ministers for Foreign Affairs.
Read former High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay’s statement at the launch on 3 March 2014 here
Read the Core States’ statement on the 35th anniversary of the Convention here.
Read the press release of Fiji joining the Core States in 2019 here.