30 April 2019, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is pleased to inform the general public that on 27 April 2019, during the 64th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (CPTA), in collaboration with the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI), organised a Panel Discussion on Supporting State Action against Torture and Ill-treatment in Africa.
Panellists included Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Chairperson of CPTA; Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor, Member of CPTA; H.E. Ambassador Dr. Winfred Nii Okai HAMMOND, Ambassador of Ghana to Egypt; Mr. Cherno Marena, Solicitor General and Legal Secretary, Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice of The Gambia; and M. Abdelwahab Hani, Member of the United Nations Committee against Torture.
The overall objective of the Panel was to inspire solidarity for the regional universal ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) by all African countries and to improve implementation of the UNCAT and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter).
Panellists highlighted CPTA’s support to States to actively prevent torture and ill-treatment in Africa; CTI support for African regional universal ratification of UNCAT and opportunities for domestic reform; The Gambia’s experience in ratifying UNCAT; and the role of the United Nations Committee against Torture in preventing torture.
The CPTA conveys its sincere gratitude to CTI and all the panellists for their important contribution, and reaffirms its support to State Parties in ratifying and implementing the UNCAT and Article 5 of the African Charter.
