The NHRCK hosted an international symposium
on ratifying the OP-CAT
October 8- The NHRCK hosted an international symposium to emphasize the importance of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (hereinafter OP-CAT).
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) was adopted by the UN on 10 December, 1984 and the OP-CAT on 8 December, 2002 to complement the former. Fifty countries have ratified the OP-CAT since the day it went into effect on 22 June, 2006. The Republic of Korea is a State party to the CAT, but it has not ratified the OP-CAT as of yet.
During the conference, Ms. Silvia Casale shared her experience as the former president of the UN Sub-committee on Prevention of Torture. Next, Ms. Jem Stevens, the Asia Pacific officer for the Association for the Prevention of Torture, emphasized the role and the necessity of a national preventive mechanism. Ms. Suraina Pasha, the APF Secretariat’s Project Manager for Regional Training, also relayed the Asia-Pacific regional trend in ratifying the OP-CAT and the duty of a national human rights institution to uphold the international standards. Last, Ms. Susan Biggs, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission’s Manager, presented the examples of establishing national preventive mechanisms in New Zealand.
Professor Jung Kyung-soo from Sook Myung Women’s University clarified the role of the NHRCK and the necessary preparatory measures on the part of the country in ratifying the OP-CAT. In addition, Dr. Kang Yong-ju shared his experience as a former prisoner who had been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Defense, and authorities from the National Police Agency presented their stance on the ratification of the OP-CAT and shared their expertise in describing the specific situation that Korea is faced with.
The NHRCK views that ratifying the OP-CAT will enable the experts from the UN Sub-committee on Prevention of Torture to visit domestic detention centers, strengthen the international capacity to address prevention of torture by establishing an independent national preventive mechanism, and to provide a venue to promote the status of human rights.
