Human Rights Council adopts resolution on legal professionals’ role in combating torture

Despite some difficult compromises, the annual resolution relating to torture and ill-treatment of the Human Rights Council, approved on 26 March 2010, has a number of positive elements, which can be built on in future years. Mirroring last year’s resolution on the role of health professionals, this year’s resolution focused on how judges, prosecutors and lawyers can contribute to the prevention of torture.

The IRCT particularly welcomes the inclusion of the right to prompt and regular medical care as a key procedural safeguard despite the text’s narrow focus on the legal profession. This clearly shows the need for a multidisciplinary approach to torture prevention, which is a key focus area for the IRCT.

The negotiations process saw attempts by many States to limit the scope of the text especially in relation to the right to judicial review of detention and the requirement for independent investigations of all allegations of torture.

The IRCT also wishes to express its appreciation for the efforts of the Danish negotiators who worked persistently to ensure as strong a text as possible.

For more information:

The full text of the resolution (PDF file, external link on the United Nations website)