‘Defending victims of torture - from documentation to legal action’
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) held on November 19, 20, 2011, a first of a series of workshops on international standards and procedures on the prohibition of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The workshop targeted young activists, human rights lawyers and magistrates working in collaboration of leading civil society organizations in Tunis and in the regions. It focused on the role of international standards within the process of transition in Tunisia, the scope of the international prohibition of torture and the legal requirements under the UN Convention Against Torture, as well as on the practical challenges in using international standards within domestic and international litigation.
The training which was conducted by Ibrahima Kane (Senegal – leading human rights lawyer with the Open Society Foundation) and Georges Assaf (Lebanon – member of the OMCT General Assembly) introduced also concepts of strategic litigation in relation to torture and discussed the scope of legal and judicial reforms to make international standards a direct part of the transition process in Tunisia.
The OMCT had opened its first ever field office on September 1, 2011. Its activities are part of a broader program in Tunisia accompanying OMCT’s partner organizations in the transition process, providing expert advice on anti-torture reforms and supporting efforts to strengthen accountability and the legal and institutional framework for the prevention of torture. Earlier this year the OMCT was able to conduct a high-level mission on the reform process and conducting an independent inspection of the prison system of the country (see press statement).
The OMCT wishes to thank the Federal Republic of Germany for its support to this training.
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