Reference on preventing torture

The ACJ met at the 10th Annual Meeting (2005) to consider a reference on torture. The reference also asked the ACJ to develop a set of minimum standards for interrogation.

The Final Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the international law, standards and principles that relate to torture. It also contains detailed information about State laws relating to torture, which are assessed against international human rights standards.

The report makes a series of recommendations, including:

• Governments ratifying all relevant treaties regarding torture
• Enacting or amending relevant domestic laws
• Ensuring allegations of torture are independently investigated
• Allowing detention facilities to be regularly inspected, and
• Providing education and training for all relevant sectors.

The Minimum Interrogation Standards developed by the ACJ are a valuable contribution towards the prevention of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment in the region.