12 May 2010

UN Special Rapporteur on torture to meet Vanuatu government ministers

8:15 am on 12 May 2010

The UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Manfred Nowak, will meet with Vanuatu government ministers and officials today on the prevention of torture and ill treatment of prison detainees.

The meeting aims to support the Vanuatu Government's efforts to better implement their national laws that ban torture and ill-treatment.

It will also provide expert information about current international laws, agreements and standards for the prevention of torture.

A significant topic will include discussion around the benefits of ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Vanuatu's Minister of Justice and Social Welfare, Bakoa Kaltongga, says torture is a profound concern of the world community.

He says Vanuatu, as a part of this world community, has recognised that it can add its voice to that concern.

The meeting was organised jointly by the Vanuatu Ministry of Justice and Community Services and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Regional Office for the Pacific.