Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Prevention of Torture

The prohibition of torture is absolute and non-derogable and is enshrined in OSCE human dimension commitments, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and a number of regional human rights instruments. All 57 OSCE participating States have committed to prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and are States Parties to the Convention against Torture (CAT) which specifically aims to eradicate torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the States Parties.

The last SHDM on the Prevention of Torture took place in 2003. Eleven years down the road, the implementation of States’ obligations and commitments under CAT, OPCAT and the OSCE commitments remains a key challenge in the OSCE area. It is time for the OSCE, its institutions and participating States to take stock of the status of progress on the follow-up to the recommendations. The meeting will thus provide a platform to reassess the situation in light of any new challenges and opportunities, share experiences with civil society and other international organizations active in the prevention of torture, and develop strategies and solutions for moving forward with enhanced efficiency.

The meeting will address the topic through the following three sessions:

• Taking stock of developments in the OSCE Region since the 2003 SHDM on the Prevention of Torture;
• National level responses and the role of National Preventive Mechanisms;
• The role of the OSCE in assisting participating States to prevent torture: The way forward.

Recommendations may be addressed to participating States, the OSCE at large, OSCE institutions, including the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE field operations, other inter-governmental or non-governmental organizations, as well as other civil society actors in OSCE participating States.

Prevention of torture - statement by Ambassador Thomas Greminger

Prevention of torture - statement by Juan Méndez UN Special Rapporteur on Torture


Prevention of torture - statement by Mark Thomson, Secretary General of the APT

Registration: Online registration for all participants is available at http://meetings.odihr.pl. Participants are advised to register by Friday, 28th March 2014. Registered participants will be able to collect their badges as of Thursday, 10th April 2014 from 09:00 in the main entrance hall of the Hofburg Congress Centre. The registration will also be available online after the deadline and during the Meeting on the spot.

Side events: Side events may be held over the course of two days during the SHDM. Organisations wishing to organise a side event, should submit the checklist latest by Friday, 28 March 2014. More details are available in the documents: ‘Information for Civil Society’ and ‘Checklist for Organizers of Side Events’. Additional information on the content and objectives of planned side event, as well as timing and duration will be available on the SHDM website prior to the event.

Contact information:

Substantive content matters: Ms. Irina Urumova at Irina.Urumova@odihr.pl or +48 22 5200 705.

Organizational matters and registration of side events: Ms. Kamila Czerwinska at Kamila.Czerwinska@odihr.pl or +48 22 5200 657.

Registration of participants: Ms. Anna Sierant at Anna.Sierant@odihr.pl or +48 22 5200 627.