The Commonwealth Secretariat is partnering with the Government of Fiji and the Convention Against Torture Initiative (CTI) to host an online three-day workshop to help strengthen anti-torture commitments in Pacific States.
Topics to be addressed will include
- Ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) process.
- Existing national legislative frameworks and how that can be aligned with UNCAT.
- State reporting to the UN Committee against Torture, and how this can be managed by Small States with constrained capacities.
Desired outcomes of the workshop
- Participants at the end of the workshop will be fully familiar with UNCAT’s legislative requirements as well as ratification procedures, cabinet submissions and reporting modalities.
- Have good State practices to draw on for their own national ratification, legislative drafting or reporting processes.
- Ability to identify key elements needed to draft an effective anti-torture legislative framework, ‘map’ relevant national laws for conformity with UNCAT and take stock of areas where legislative changes may be required or recommended.
- Be equipped with technical skills to draft Cabinet submissions and/or legal provisions in the context of torture prevention, prohibition, and redress.
The workshop will include contributions from high-level speakers including:
- Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney General of Fiji
- H.E. Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
Previous Workshops: December 2020 Online Technical Workshop for Commonwealth Caribbean States
Resources
Attendance at this workshop is by invite only
