UDHR75 Anniversary: CTI Core States appeal to ratification of UN Convention against Torture
High Commissioner Mr. Türk,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
As the international community marks Human Rights Day and celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Governments of Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia, Morocco, and my own country, Fiji, as Core States spearheading the Convention against Torture Initiative (also known as “CTI”), wish to underscore that torture eradication is a key building block to advancing freedom, equality, justice and dignity for all, as embodied in the UDHR.
We pledge to continue in our efforts to support States on their journeys to ratify and effectively implement the ‘UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment’, in line with Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our efforts will also contribute to achieving SDG Goal 16. Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, as embodied in Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are at the heart of effective anti-torture policies and strategies. By becoming party to the UN Convention against Torture (also known as “UNCAT”), States are required to prevent and prohibit such abhorrent practice through criminalizing acts of torture, providing training to public officials and excluding torture-tainted evidence, among other measures. Through building strong and accountable institutions, our Governments can successfully implement the Convention’s goals, while sustaining peaceful communities and contributing to sustainable development.
On this matter, I am pleased to report that a State from the Pacific region will be imminently acceding to UNCAT in the next few weeks, becoming the one-hundred and seventy-fourth State Party to the Convention and joining six other Pacific Island States who are already Parties.
On such an occasion, as CTI Core States, we call on all States who are yet to do so to take this opportunity to become party to UNCAT, and I trust we will be joined in our efforts to secure a torture-free world.
I thank you.
Joint Statement of the Governments of Chile, Denmark, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco as part of the Convention against Torture Initiative