Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT)
The CAT is monitored by the Committee against Torture (CAT). The CAT was ratified by the UK in 1988. Read an introduction to the CAT here.
The UK also ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). The OPCAT is monitored by the subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT).
The UK’s last report to UNCAT was a response to the List of Issues produced by the UN Committee Against Torture in July 2023. The last Review of UNCAT took place in 2019.
Stages of monitoring states’ obligation with the CAT
- State reporting
- “Shadow reports” by organisations
- Pre-sessional working group – a list of issues and questions is created.
- State reply and dialogue with the committee
- Concluding observations
- Follow-up procedure
Guidance for NGO submissions on the CAT
Information for Civil Society Organisations and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)
The Committee adopts Lists of Issues (LOIs) at least one session ahead of the session, during which it will examine the State party’s report and meets with the State party’s delegation.
The written information that NGOs, NHRIs and National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) wish to submit to the Committee for the LOIs must be received by the Secretariat in an electronic format within specific deadlines before the opening of the session.
The written information submitted by NGOs, NHRIs or NPMs to the Committee for the examination of the State party’s report, must be received in an electronic format no later than four weeks before the opening of the session.
NGOs that have submitted written information to the Committee regarding a State party may also meet with the Committee.
During these briefings, the NGOs representatives can address the Committee and the Committee can pose questions.
Presentation of information to the CAT
NGOs are encouraged to present their information organised under the respective articles of the Convention.
Information should include relevant concerns and recommendations for improvement.
NGOs are also encouraged to coordinate their inputs and to submit consolidated, joint reports.
The information should be factual, reliable, precise, and clear.
The report must identify the submitting NGO, as anonymous information is not accepted.
It must be relevant to the mandate of the Committee and the examination of the State party’s report.
The information should not contain names of victims except if related to public cases or if the consent of the victims or their families is obtained.
Useful guides and links
UN Reports:
- Sixth periodic report (2018) submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under article 19 of the Convention pursuant to the optional reporting procedure
- Concluding observations (2019) on the sixth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Information received from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2020) on follow-up to the concluding observations on its sixth periodic report
- UK response (2023) to UN Committee Against Torture’s list of issues
Civil society guides and submissions:
