VATICAN CITY
Vatican Information Service
Vatican City, 2 May 2014 (VIS) – The following is the full text of the informative note from Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., for Vatican Radio:
The “Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishments” is one of the important international Conventions implemented within the ambit of the activities of the United Nations, and which has been signed voluntarily by numerous member States of the international community, the so-called “State Parties” to the Conventions.
To confirm the implementation of the Conventions and the progress they have made, Committees of independent experts have been instituted by the Conventions themselves and therefore by the mandate of the “State Parties”. These Committees have the task of examining the periodical reports that the States Party are required to present regarding the implementation of the Convention. During its sessions in Geneva, the Committee meets with the delegations of the State Parties to discuss their reports and the state of implementation of and enforcement of the Convention, along with any questions that may arise in relation to its interpretation. This is a normal procedure of open dialogue, in which civil society may also play a role through the presentation of comments or recommendations on the part of NGOs of various orientations.
The Convention against torture (usually abbreviated to CAT) dates from 1984. The Holy See became a signatory in 2002, “on behalf of Vatican City State” and presented its “initial” report in December 2012.
The United Nations Committee on the CAT is composed of ten members and is holding its 52nd Session in the Palais Wilson, Geneva from 28 April to 23 May, during which it will examine the reports presented by eight countries: Uruguay, Thailand, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Montenegro, Cyrus, Lithuania and the Holy See. The meeting of the Committee with the Delegation of the Holy See will take place on 5 and 6 May.
Firstly, on the morning of 5 May, there will be a brief presentation of the report by the Delegation, followed by comments from the Speakers chosen by the Committee. In the afternoon of 6 May the Delegation will be able to answer the questions posed on the previous day, and any other questions from members of the Committee.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.