Foreign Minister comments on UN report on torture

This week, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, presented his  report on states’ use of torture to the UN General Assembly. The report reveals widespread use of torture.

“The report gives cause for great concern. The fact that democratic states, including allies of ours, can be linked to the use of torture and inhuman interrogation techniques is particularly worrying,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“As far as respect for universal human rights is concerned, there can be no exceptions or exemptions for anyone. Efforts to advance human rights are undermined if the advocates of these rights also violate them,” Mr Støre said.

“The prohibition of torture is absolute and may not be contravened under any circumstances. The Special Rapporteur’s findings that the international legal framework is not being complied with must be taken seriously by all UN member states,” the Foreign Minister commented.

According to Special Rapporteur Manfred Nowak, there are widespread and routine violations of the prohibition of torture all over the world. He identifies impunity as one of the root causes of this  trend. Mr Nowak has been UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for six years. Through his fact-finding missions, he has helped to document human rights violations in a great many countries and situations. He has also played a key role in documenting where the prohibition of torture has been undermined and the use of secret detention in the context of countering terrorism.

“Mr Nowak’s report is being presented at the same time as operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are once again attracting attention and severe criticism. This is cause for serious concern. Norway will raise the issue of use of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment during the Universal Periodic Review of the US under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council next week. We will in particular ask the US what concrete steps they have taken to investigate allegations of the use of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in connection with the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Mr Støre.