UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT)

UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT): Common Cause and Lokniti-CSDS released a report highlighting continued torture and violence in police custody in India.

• About UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT):

o International Human Rights Treaty: It is an international human rights treaty to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment worldwide.

o Adoption and Enforcement: It was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10th December 1984 and entered into force on 26th June 1987.

o Definition of Torture (Article 1): Defines torture as the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental pain for purposes like obtaining information, punishment, or intimidation, with involvement or consent of a public official.

oUniversal Jurisdiction (Article 5): Requires states to prosecute or extradite individuals accused of torture, regardless of where the crime was committed or the nationality of the perpetrator.

• India and UNCAT: India signed UNCAT in 1997 but has not ratified it yet.
• How to Address Custodial Torture in India?

o Legal Reforms (Enact a strict Prevention of Torture law with penalties and victim compensation, aligning with UNCAT standards, and ratify UNCAT to reinforce India's commitment) → Institutional Accountability → Capacity Building (Train police in human rights, ethical interrogations, and legal consequences of custodial torture) → Structural Reform → Judicial Monitoring