GENEVA - The UN Committee against Torture is meeting in Geneva from 18 April to 12 May to review the following countries in sessions that will be webcast live: Pakistan (18-19 April); Lebanon (20-21 April); Bahrain (21 and 24 April); Afghanistan (25-26 April); Argentina (26-27 April) and Republic of Korea (2-3 May).

The above are among the 161 States parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and so are required to undergo regular reviews by the Committee on how they are implementing the Convention and the Committee’s previous recommendations.  

The Committee, which is composed of 10 independent experts, will engage in a dialogue with the respective government delegations. The public sessions, held at Palais Wilson in Geneva, begin at 10:00 Geneva time and continue at 15:00 the following day. The sessions will be webcast live at: http://webtv.un.org/.

Further information is available here.

The Committee will publish its findings, officially known as concluding observations, on the respective states here on 12 May. A news conference to discuss the findings is scheduled for 12:30 on 12 May at Palais des Nations in Geneva.

For more information and media requests, please contact Patrice Gillibert (+41 22 917 93 32 / pgillibert@ohchr.org) or Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 94 66 / ethrossell@ohchr.org)

What is the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment?

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment obliges States that are parties the treaty to prohibit and prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in all circumstances. The Convention entered into force on 26 June 1987 and to date has been ratified by 161 States.  More information here.