RESOLUTION ON GUIDELINES AND MEASURES FOR THE PROHIBITION AND PREVENTION OF TORTURE, CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT IN AFRICA
Recalling further the international obligations of States under:
- Art. 55 of the United Nations Charter, calling upon States to promote
universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental
freedoms;
- Art. 5 of the UDHR, Art. 7 of the ICCPR stipulating that no one shall be
subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
- Art. 2 (1) and 16 (1) of the UNCAT calling upon each State to take effective
measures to prevent acts of torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment in any territory under its jurisdiction;
Noting the commitment of African States as reaffirmed in the Grand Bay
Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the 1st Ministerial Conference on
Human Rights in Africa to ensure better promotion and respect of human rights
on the continent;
Desiring the implementation of principles and concrete measures in order to
make more effective the struggle against torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment in Africa and to assist African States to
meet their international obligations in this regard;
The “Robben Island Workshop on the Prevention of Torture”, held from 12
to 14 February 2002, has adopted the following guidelines and measures for the
prohibition and prevention of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or
punishment and recommends that they are adopted, promoted and implemented
within Africa.
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THE ROBBEN ISLAND GUIDELINES