On 6 July 2023, H.E. Ambassador Claudia Fuentes Julio, Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN in Geneva, H.E. Ambassador Patricia Ann Hermanns, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the UN in Geneva and Ms. Gayethri Pillay, Head of CTI Secretariat, briefed the Ambassadors and representatives of five Caribbean States and organizations in Geneva on the benefits of the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

Since CTI was launched in 2014, the UNCAT membership of States from the Caribbean Community doubled, with the ratification of The Bahamas in 2018, Grenada in 2019, Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2020 and Suriname in 2021. Cognizant of the specific challenges Small Island Developing States are facing in ratifying and implementing UNCAT, Chile, The Bahamas and CTI wished to inspire States from the region, and to see how best they can support their ratification and implementation journeys. In particular, by sharing good States practices, the briefing highlighted how UNCAT ratification and implementation contribute to institution-building and to strengthening the judicial and law enforcement sectors, in line with SDG16.

Finally, CTI introduced the Ambassadors and representatives from the Caribbean to materials published by the Convention against Torture Initiative supporting States efforts in ratifying and implementing UNCAT, such as its Implementation tools and Police Resource Toolkit.

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