Part II Preventing torture: NHRIs in action | Section I Promoting an effective legal framework the Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol. In particular, they should stress the importance of individuals having a right to make a complaint to relevant international bodies and therefore the importance of their States becoming party to the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and making a declaration under article 22 of the Convention against Torture. Legislative implementation of international obligations in domestic law NHRIs should urge their State to: • include a comprehensive definition of the term torture in domestic legislation • ensure that torture is a specific criminal offence under domestic law • recognize customary international law as informing domestic law • give legislative effect to the non-refoulement principle, including the prohibition of the return of person to a country in which they may face torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment • enact legislation asserting jurisdiction over the extraterritorial acts of torture committed by nationals and non nationals. Interrogation standards NHRIs should promote the Minimum Interrogation Standards (MIS) developed by the ACJ and work to make sure that public officials involved in interrogations are fully informed with regard to these MIS and trained to use them effectively. Introduction A country’s legal framework provides the foundation for any effective strategy to prevent torture. This legal framework includes international treaties that the State has ratified, as well as domestic laws that it has enacted. NHRIs have an important role to play in promoting the ratification of relevant international human rights treaties. They also have a strong advisory mandate that allows them to review existing legislation, propose amendments or recommend new legislation to support the prevention of torture. In addition, NHRIs can advocate for detention procedures that meet international norms and provide effective safeguards. 1. Promoting ratification of international treaties NHRIs should review whether their country has ratified all key international treaties related to torture, and in particular: • the Convention against Torture (including articles 21 and 22) and its Optional Protocol • the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocol Where appropriate, regional treaties should also be considered (see chapter 2 for more information). If a State has not ratified these core treaties, NHRIs can develop and pursue a strategy to promote ratification. This can include making a formal recommendation to the Government to ratify certain treaties, actively lobbying governmental and parliamentary representatives and building public awareness on the issue. Chapter 3: Promoting legal and procedural reforms | 29