Remarks by Tehreem Kanwal, Third Secretary, During Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur On torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Mr. Chair, We thank the Special Rapporteur for presentation of her report. Torture is an abhorrent practice which not only violates human rights and fundamental freedoms, but also negates the principle of human dignity. The abominable practice of torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment is contrary to the international human rights law. As a party to the UN Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Pakistan is making utmost efforts to implement our obligations. Pakistan’s commitment to prohibit torture and protect human rights preceded the ratification of the Convention, as the Article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the protection of the fundamental freedoms of all citizens without discrimination. Pakistan also enacted Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, reaffirming our commitment to uphold human rights and human dignity.
It is imperative to highlight that despite States being cognizant to their role in ensuring protection of human rights of their citizens, there has been a corresponding uptick in torture. As per report of the Special Rapporteur, globally, 108 countries have an explicit and autonomous crime of torture in their national criminal codes. Whereas, 22 States are not yet party to the UN Convention Against Torture, including India. Torture, custodial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and grave human rights violations continue to haunt lives of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The malevolence of the Indian forces and the impunity they enjoy must be condemned by the international community. Torture, inhuman and degrading treatment by occupation forces perpetrated with impunity during Illegal arrests and detentions of innocent Kashmiri men, women and children, members of civil society, human rights defenders, journalists and Kashmiri political leaders is nothing but a ferocious and systematic crackdown against dissenting voices of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied in Jammu and Kashmir, and suppression of their right to self- determination.
Upholding and advancing respect for human dignity and human rights is a moral and legal imperative for the international community. We would like to seek views of the Special Rapporteur: what role should be played by the human rights mechanisms to put an end to infliction of torture and degrading treatment in situation of foreign occupation, including Jammu and Kashmir and how to ensure monitoring and accountability of occupation forces.
Sub Editor: Ghufran