African Commission Organizes Commemorative Seminar on the 10th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Robben Island Guidelines

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The Commission's Committee for the the Prevention of Torture in Africa, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the South African Human Rights Commission and the Association for the Prevention of Torture in Africa, organized and expert seminar to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Robben Island Guidelines from 21 to 23 August 2012, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The seminar which was officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of South Africa was attended by 56 delegates from 22 countries, including participants from all regions of Africa, comprising representatives of Government Ministries and Departments, Parliamentarians, National Preventive Mechanisms, National Human Rights Institutions, Academicians, International Experts, NGO representatives as well a's independent observers.

  • Speech by Hon. Commissioner Dupe Atoki, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa
  • Statement by Musa Yerro Gassama, Regional Representative, UN OHCHR - Regional Office-Addis
  • Opening Remarks by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Republic of South Africa
  • Keynote Address - Secretary General of the Association of the Preventive of Torture, Mark Thomson

Presentations.

  • The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in the Promotion and Implementation of the RIG in Africa, by Adv. ML Mushwana, Chairperson South African Human Rights Commission and Chairperson of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions
  • Monitoring places of detention as a means to prevent torture. Background paper on the situation of the OPCAT in Africa
  • Enhancing Torture Prevention in Africa Milestone event at the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the RIG, by Dr. Danny Titus - South African Human Rights Commission
  • The Role of NGOs in the Promotion & Implementation of the Robben Island Guidelines (RIG), Presented by Uju Agomoh PhD, Executive Director, PRAWA & Research Fellow, Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria
  • The Criminalization of Torture and the Challenges of Prosecuting Acts of Torture in Africa. By Dr Lydia Umar Network on Police Reforms (NOPRIN) Foundation Member Board Of Trustees
  • The Right to Freedom from Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Uganda’s Experience. Presented by Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, Member of Parliament Republic of Uganda
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  • Ratification et mise en œuvre du Protocole Facultatif à la Convention contre la Torture : l’expérience sénégalaise
  • Commemorative Seminar on the 10th Anniversary of the RIG. Presentation on the CPTA, By Jean Baptiste Niyizurugero, CPTA Vice-chairperson
  • Detention monitoring as preventive means with focus on OPCAT. Presentation by Zden?k Hájek
  • Paper presented by Madam Lauretta Lamptey, Commissioner, Chraj at the Commemorative Seminar on the 10th Anniversary of the Robben Island Guidelines
  • Pre-trial Detention and Legal Assistance. By Peter Kiama, Executive Director, Independent Medico Legal Unit (Imlu)
  • 10 Years of the Robben Island Guidelines and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) – A time for Synergy
  • Prevention of Torture and Rehabilitation of Victims, ACTV- Uganda Experience. Presented by, Samuel Herbert Nsubuga Chief Executive Officer, African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victim