CTI delivers statement to UNGA Third Committee

75th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY – THIRD COMMITTEE

Promotion and protection of human rights – Item 72
Implementation of human rights instruments – Sub-item 72 (a)
Statement during the interactive dialogue with mandate holders on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

15 October

To be delivered by H.E. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN in New York, on behalf of the CTI Core States.
H.E. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations in New York,
H.E. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations in New York

Thank you Madam Chair,

I have the pleasure of speaking on behalf of the six States leading the Convention against Torture Initiative, namely Chile, Denmark, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, and my own country, Morocco.

We are a cross-regional group of States pursuing international collaboration towards the universal ratification and effective implementation of the UN Convention against Torture by 2024. We work to strengthen State institutions, policies and practices through capacity building and technical advice, and enjoy support from a growing Group of Friends open to all UN Member States. We would like to take this opportunity to invite all UN Member States here today to join our initiative.

Since CTI was launched in 2014, 17 new ratifications have been deposited, bringing the current total to 171 State parties. We congratulate and welcome the newest State parties: Angola, Grenada, Kiribati [pronounced Kiribas], Samoa, the Sultanate of Oman, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. These ratifications are significant. Yet, while the prohibition of the use of torture is jus cogens, not all States have joined the Convention. CTI will continue raising awareness about the benefits of the Convention and its Optional Protocol.

CTI conducts extensive work with police and law enforcement services, as human rights based policing is central to making the spirit of the Convention a reality. Applying the Convention fully reinforces trust between law enforcement and our citizens. Without trust, the ramifications are often severe and not easily reversible. Training, clear and transparent rules of conduct, ethnic and gender diverse recruitment, as well as independent accountability mechanisms, are all features of effective police and justice systems.

Exchange of knowledge and expertise on policing is a central focus of CTI’s work, including our Global Seminar held in Copenhagen in October 2019, and our regional seminar hosted by Indonesia in November 2019. Police are – and must continue to be – our allies in the global fight against torture and ill-treatment. We are committed to making important changes in this area, and we encourage every government to do likewise.  

In conclusion, we would like to thank the mandate holders for their important work, and their continued support and cooperation with the CTI.

I thank you, Madam Chair.

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