First national forum on preventing torture held in Jordan
British Embassy Amman funded project on defending rights of detainees held the first forum on preventing torture from 16 to 17 July 2016
In partnership with Adaleh Centre for Human Rights Studies, the British Embassy is funding a project on defending the rights of detainees in Jordan. As part of this project, and in collaboration with Adaleh Centre’s other partners, RESTART and the EU Delegation in Jordan, the first national forum on preventing torture was held on 16 to 17 July 2016. Present at the event was the chair of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, Prof. Sir Malcolm Evans; the government of Jordan’s coordinator for human rights, Mr. Basel Tarawneh; the National Centre for Human Rights; and other governmental and civil society partners. The forum aimed at joining together all these relevant stakeholders to discuss progress as well as the challenges facing Jordan in the effective implementation of the UN Convention Against Torture.
Speaking at the opening session, Chargé d’affaires/Deputy Head of Mission Simon Mustard said:
“It is very important to see many government and civil society stakeholders present today to shed light on this critical issue. And, on this occasion we urge Jordan, as a state party of the UNCAT, to review its position and ratify the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture. Stability and security are very crucial in the light of regional developments and internal challenges, but these cannot be achieved without good and solid human rights in the country. We must all work together for progress “