Statement 91 - Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Geneva, Switzerland

Address: Chemin des Fins 2, Case Postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19 - Telephone: 022 799 9100 - Fax: 022 799 9178

Human Rights Council -13th Regular Session

Item 3, Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteurs on Countering Terrorism and Torture

Monday 8 March, 2010
Geneva Palais des Nations

Australia welcomes the reports of the working groups and Special Rapporteurs and the effort which has gone into their preparation.

As the world works to address the threat of terrorism, it is especially important that we continue to develop and implement mechanisms that sustain the culture of human rights. Torture, arbitrary detention and other derogations of our fundamental human rights have no place in our response to terrorism, or to any other challenge.

Australia has signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on 19 May 2009 and is taking the necessary steps towards ratification. The Australian Government has a long and recognised tradition of support for the rule of law and human rights, and categorically opposes any arbitrary deprivation of liberty, secret detention or torture.

We look forward, in this forum in the weeks to come, to an open and serious debate on the many challenges addressed in your reports, and to the new resolve these deliberations may bring.

We note the conclusion of the Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that most victims of torture are not political prisoners or suspected of having committed political crimes. Given the limited resources of the Special Rapporteur, we invite the Special Rapporteur to comment on what role NGOs might and do perform in monitoring the treatment of detainees, and what States might do to support them.

We note the Rapporteur’s concern that medical experts should identify where torture has been used to gather evidence. We invite the Special Rapporteur to comment further on the current availability and reliability of medical expertise, particularly as it pertains to psychological harm, and what states might do to support such provision.