On Friday 21^st of January 2022, the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) commenced the new year with a virtual briefing to representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Geneva.  

Addressed to the representatives of the CARICOM UN Member States in Geneva, the briefing session raised awareness on CTI’s work in supporting States in ratifying and implementing the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and the benefits that UNCAT ratification can bring domestically. With Suriname’s recent UNCAT ratification in November 2021, four Caribbean States -namely The Bahamas (2018), Grenada (2019), Saint Kitts, and Nevis (2020) have become State parties to the UNCAT since the inception of the CTI. With six Caribbean States yet to become parties to UNCAT, opportunities for encouragement and support remain. In this context, the briefing session provided a platform to discuss some of the challenges States may face in ratifying and implementing the UNCAT and how CTI’s support and technical assistance could be made available.

For Member States of CARICOM, ratifying UNCAT can also support inter-regional exchange of good practices and challenges on torture prevention and response as well as strengthen State-to-State cooperation in matters such as extradition and the prohibition of refoulement.

H.E. Ambassador Frank Tressler, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations in Geneva

CTI remarks were delivered by H.E. Ambassador Frank Tressler Zamorano, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations in Geneva, and H.E. Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations in Geneva, followed by a presentation by Ms. Gayethri Pillay, Head of the CTI Secretariat. The speakers noted CTI’s positive engagement with the Caribbean States since 2017, with 60 representatives from all 14 CARICOM UN Member States having attended at least one of CTI’s activities and seminars. Ambassador Khan highlighted some of these events, including the Costa Rica Workshop in 2015, the Chile Seminar in 2017 and the Saint Lucia Seminar in 2018. She recognized the strong commitment in the Caribbean region to sustaining peaceful societies and upholding democratic values. Noting that UNCAT ratification helps reinforce these same values, both Ambassador Tressler and Ambassador Khan pointed out some domestic benefits of UNCAT ratification such as professionalizing police and law enforcement and enhancing State-to-State cooperation in torture-related areas, such as extradition proceedings and the prohibition of refoulement.

Ratification [of the UNCAT] is the beginning of a journey, towards the values we share, more than a destination. There is no single prescription to ratification.

Mr. Frank W. Davis, Minister-Counsellor Deputy Permanent Representative of the Bahamas to the United Nations in Geneva

Ambassador Tressler and Ms. Pillay’s remarks emphasized CTI’s distinctive “no name, no shame” philosophy and the unique constructive engagement CTI can offer as a State for States initiative. CTI’s “State Parties in Focus” blog series, in this regard, can be a pivotal source of information and experience-sharing network for the CARICOM States, including to learn from States experiences, best practices, and challenges in ratifying and implementing UNCAT. Beyond this, the importance of understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by the Small Island Developing States of the CARICOM was noted.

CTI is a ‘one-stop shop’ for technical assistance and capacity-building for States prior, during and after UNCAT ratification. Our support to States can take various forms, and can include confidential advice, tools for anti-torture legislative review, development of cabinet papers, and training for Government officials.  

Ms. Gayethri Pillay, Head of CTI Secretariat

CTI is committed to continue supporting CARICOM States in their paths to UNCAT ratification and implementation, building on the good anti-torture laws, policies and practices that already exist in the Caribbean region.

For States interested in how the CTI can support their efforts towards ratification and/or implementation of UNCAT, please contact info@cti2024.org.

To learn more about the experiences of The Bahamas and Grenada in UNCAT ratification and implementation, read our States parties in focus country blogs at https://cti2024.org/resources-for-states/states-experiences-in-focus/.

CTI’s Advice Hub can be contacted confidentially for technical advice at advicehub@cti2024.org.