Geneva, 23 September 2019- On the margins of the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC42), the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) hosted a meeting for delegates from Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) who are participating in the HRC42 in Geneva.

This meeting, hosted by H.E. Ambassador Ramses Joseph Cleland, Permanent Representative of Ghana and H.E. Ambassador Carla Serazzi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Chile, discussed opportunities and prospects for universal ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), as well as States’ experiences of implementing the Convention.

The CTI Ambassadors introduced the Initiative and ways in which CTI can support States in ratifying and implementing UNCAT, including technical seminars at country or regional level, study visits to Geneva or diplomatic visits to countries, as well as advice and support available via CTI Secretariat’s remote “helpdesk”. The CTI help desk offers technical assistance and answers to specific States’ queries, confidentially. CTI’s constructive approach, aimed at supporting interested States in overcoming obstacles through government-to-government constructive cooperation was explained, and delegates enquired about the support available for their countries.

As representatives of SIDS and LDCs, the delegates also shared some of the particular challenges that their countries face, as well as how to overcome them. In this regard, the delegate from Angola shared his country’s experience of cooperation with CTI which culminated in an in-country technical seminar on UNCAT held last month; while Grenada shared their experience of collaborating closely with CTI and belonging to CTI’s Group of Friends.

The States represented were Angola, Benin, Grenada, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Also participating included the CTI Core States of Chile, Ghana and Indonesia, Ms. Fatou Camara Houel, Coordinator of the SIDS/LDCs Trust Fund, Dr. Alice Edwards, Head of the CTI Secretariat and Mr. Othman Boucetta, CTI Adviser.

For States interested to learn more or for any query related to technical assistance for ratifying or implementing UNCAT, please contact info@cti2024.org.