Article 2 of the Convention against Torture 1. Each state shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to PREVENT ACTS of TORTURE in any territory under its jurisdiction. What does it mean that CAT is a human rights instrument ? Human rights law reflects the principles in the Charter of the United Nations Recognises the equal and inalienable rights of all human beings Reiterates the obligation of all States to promote respect for and observance of human rights The 192 member states of the UN (+ the Holy See and Cook Islands) have all ratified the 1949 Geneva Conventions and many states have also ratified the 9 core human rights treaties forming a body of international law emanating from the UN. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979) and its optional protocol (1999) Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (1984) and the Optional Protocol (2006) International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1990) Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and its optional protocols (2000) International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (2006) CAT ratifications - Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vanuatu and CAT signatory: India OPCAT 3 ratifications – Cambodia, Maldives and New Zealand 18