Today, the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) releases the report of the Technical Workshop on “Improving implementation of the UN Convention against Torture: Strengthening complaints, investigations and prosecution mechanisms”, held on 27-29 October 2022 in Serrekunda, The Gambia. Hosted by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers of The Gambia, and organised in partnership with REDRESS, the event was held over three days and brought together 14 Gambian officials from seven Government agencies, composed of the Ministry of Justice, the High Court, the Gambia Police Force, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Armed Forces, the State Intelligence Services and the Prisons Service.

At the Government’s request, the Technical Workshop built the capacity of Gambian Government officials on torture prevention and response to improve compliance with their obligations under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), with a focus on effective complaints, investigations and prosecutions of torture.

The report captures a summary of the discussions held on defining and criminalizing torture in national law in line with UNCAT, the draft Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Bill and its compliance with the Convention, as well as practical measures and procedures that can be put in place to make complaints, investigations and prosecutions of torture more effective.

The Technical Workshop’s report is available here.

For governments interested in learning more about CTI’s work and how can CTI support their efforts towards ratification and/or implementation of UNCAT, please contact info@cti2024.org.