| Human Rights Council: Invitation to a side event on Torture, National Security and Accountability 1 page / 303 KB |

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
cordially invite you to a parallel event to the 16th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council on
TORTURE, NATIONAL SECURITY and ACCOUNTABILITY
Monday 7th March 2011, 3pm – 5pm
Room XXVII
Palais des Nations, Geneva
Mr. Juan E. Méndez
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Mr. Gerald Staberock
Deputy Secretary General, World Organisation Against Torture
Mr. Tad Stahnke
Director of Policy and Programs, Human Rights First
Mr. Alex Conte
Representative to the UN, International Commission of Jurists (Moderator)
The lack of legal accountability for serious human rights violations committed in the name of national security, such as torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, remain today an important unaddressed challenge in the global response to terrorism. If not addressed, it risks undermining the foundations of the UN human rights framework as well as the legitimacy of counter-terrorism and national security laws and policies.
The parallel event will take stock of practical and legal impediments to accountability, such as national security doctrines, state secrecy invocations or the protection of intelligence information. It will seek to identify ways forward for the UN Human Rights Council and its independent mandates in upholding the right to remedy and reparation under international law and fostering fully accountable national security responses.
For further information, please contact Alexandra Kossin (ak@omct.org) or Alex Conte (alex.conte@icj.org)
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