INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE
26June 2008

OHCHR-Nepal, Press release: Comprehensive effort needed to stop torture and ill-treatment in Nepal [Eng / Nep]

United Nations, Joint Statement: Joint Statement on the Occasion of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

UN Secretary General, Message: Secretary General say International Day in support of torture victims is call to take action     against perpetrators of all forms of     cruel, inhuman treatment.

Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Press Release: Fulfill Obligations for Protection of the Rights of Torture Victims

Advocacy Forum, Press Release: Enact Comprehensive Legislation to Criminalize Torture!

BACKGROUND
Introduction
The International Day in Support for Victims of Torture was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 12 December 1997(Resolution 52/149) with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987. The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to eradicate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in whatever guise or manifestation they occur. It is an occasion to pause and remember torture victims who have not survived, to listen to the stories of those who have, and to support the quest for justice for torture victims and their families.
UN General Assembly, Resolution 52/149 of 12 December 1997 (A/RES/52/149) (Download)

International legal framework on torture
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Download)
Status of ratification of the Convention against Torture (Download)
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or     Punishment    (Download)
Status of ratification of the OP to the Convention against Torture (Download)

TORTURE AND NEPAL
 International Legal Framework
  Nepal’s status of signature and ratification of the Convention against Torture and of the Optional Protocol to the Convention      against Torture
     Nepal ratified the convention against Torture in 1991, four years after its entry into force. At present time, however, Nepal      has neither signed nor ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention.
  Periodic reports to the Treaty Monitoring Body
     1993 – Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the
         Convention,Initial reports of States Parties due in 1992: Nepal [CAT/C/16/Add.3]. (Download)    
     1994 – Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the          Convention (continued), Initial report of Nepal (continued) [CAT/C/SR.180]. (Download)
     1994 – Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the         Convention, Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture: Nepal [A/49/44,paras.138-147].         (Download)
     1994 – Comité contre la Torture, Examen des Rapports présentés par les Etats Parties en application de l’Article 19 de la         Convention (suite), Rapport initial du Népal [CAT/C/SR.179]. (Download)
     2005 – Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the         Convention, Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture: Nepal [CAT/C/NPL/CO/2]. (Download)
     2005 – Committee against Torture, List of issues to be considered during the examination of the second periodic report of         Nepal (CAT/C/33/Add.6) [CAT/C/35/L/NPL]. (Download)
     2005 – Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the         Convention, Second periodic reports of States parties due in 1996: NEPAL [CAT/C/33/Add.6]. (Download)
     2005 – Committee against Torture, Summary Record of the 669th Meeting [CAT/C/SR.669]. (Download)
     2005 – Comité contre la Torture, Compte rendu analytique (partiel)* de la première partie (publique) de la 672e Séance         [CAT/C/SR.672]. (Download)
     2008 – Committee against Torture, Consideration of Reports submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the        Convention, Comments by the Government of Nepal* to the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against        Torture (CAT/C/NPL/CO/2), [CAT/C/NPL/CO/2/Add.1]. (Download)
Visits conducted by UN Special Procedures
     1996: Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
     2000: Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
     2004: Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances;
     2005: Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons;
     2005: Special Rapporteur on the question of torture.

National Legal Framework
The Interim Constitution of Nepal, as amended by the first, second and third amendments (article 26) (Download)
Torture Compensation Act, 1996

OHCHR-Nepal and Torture
Reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the General Assembly
   September 2005 (Download)
   September 2006 (Download)
Reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council
   January 2007 (Download)
   February 2008 (Download)
Investigation reports in Nepal
    Maharajgunj - Report of investigation into arbitrary detention, torture and disappearances at Maharjagunj RNA Barracks,          Kathmandu in 2003-2004 (2006) (Download)
    Maina Sunuwar- The torture and death in custody of Maina Sunuwar, Summary of concern (2006) (Download)

National organizations working on torture
National Human Rights Commission
Centre for Victims of Torture, Nepal
Advocacy Forum
Women Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC)
Informal Sector Service Center
Center for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRd)
Access to Justice & Advocacy of Rights (AJAR): Contact: Rabindra Bhattarai, Phone: 4439869, e-mail:     bhrabindra@htp.com.np

OHCHR-NEPAL PANEL DISCUSSION ON INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST TORTURE
Objectives:
To address the criminalization of torture and current opportunities for criminal prosecution while awating such legislation
To focus on the lack of implementation of NHRC recommendations
To focus on whether the TCA is sufficient in order to address the right to reparation for victim
Where: OHCHR-Nepal’s office in Chhauni, Kathmandu
When: 26 June, 2-4 pm
For information: Ranjana Thapa (4280164, ext 421, rthapa@ohchr.org) or Angela Atzori (ext 322, aatzori@ohchr.org)
Programme: (Download)



USEFUL LINKS
Committee Against Torture
Special Rapporteur on Torture
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
Association on the Prevention of Torture
Amnesty International