Submission to UN Committee Against Torture: Follow up on the UK’s sixth periodic report
Last year, the UK submitted its sixth periodic report on its compliance with the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. All states signed up this convention – including the UK – have a duty to prevent and investigate torture, support victims of torture, and ensure perpetrators are punished.
As part of the follow up procedure on the UK’s sixth periodic report, CAJ has filed a new submission to the UN Committee against Torture (CAT). In this, we draw attention to a number of areas of continuing concern related to accountability for conflict-related violations in Northern Ireland.
We make several recommendations to the Committee, including that it urge the UK to implement the legacy mechanisms found within the Stormont House Agreement (SHA) as a matter of urgency. We also advocate against the introduction of a statute bar on criminal proceedings in legacy cases, including those relating to torture.
The submission can be read here.