Norwegian psychologist to sit on UN Committee against Torture

Nora Sveaass was appointed as one of the new members of the UN Committee against Torture at the meeting of States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture in Geneva today.

There were nine candidates for the five vacant seats on the committee, and Dr Sveaass was elected in the first round by 86 votes.

“It’s a great pleasure to congratulate Nora Sveaass on her election as member of the UN Torture Committee,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. “Dr Sveaass is one of our foremost experts in this area and will make a substantial contribution to the UN’s efforts against torture. She has particular expertise on the effects of torture on mental health, which I am sure will be very valuable in the committee’s work.”

The UN Committee against Torture has ten members and meets twice a year in Geneva. Its task is to monitor the 140 States Parties’ fulfilment of their obligations under the UN Convention against Torture. The committee studies the States Parties’ reports and makes concrete recommendations aimed at increasing respect for human rights in the country concerned. The committee also handles a large number of individual appeals.

Nora Sveaass is a doctor of psychology and head of section at the Norwegian Centre for Studies on Violence and Traumatic Stress.