International Day in Support of Victims of Torture today.

ISLAMABAD -- The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June marks the proclamation of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) - a key international instrument towards eliminating the practice of torture around the world.

Pakistan has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - both of which prohibit torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

Cases of custodial violence, torture and death continue in the country despite its prohibition under Article 14 (2) of the Constitution of Pakistan which states that 'No person shall be subjected to torture for the purpose of extracting evidence.' Article 10 of the Constitution also institutes protections against arbitrary arrest and detention.

The present Government of Pakistan is working towards strengthening legislation at the federal and provincial level to effectively criminalize torture in the country and ensure that the human rights guaranteed by the Constitution are upheld and protected. Ministry of Human Rights has drafted the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill 2020 which has been approved in principle by the Cabinet and is with Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting, before being tabled in parliament.

On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Minister Shireen Mazari reaffirmed the commitment of the state to protect citizens from torture and uphold their fundamental human Rights. She said, 'the Government of Pakistan is committed to eliminating the inhumane practice of torture. We are actively working towards strengthening legislation to effectively criminalize the practice - which violates our Constitution as well as our international commitments. We also recognize the pervasive issue of the culture of police abuse, and are cognizant of the need for comprehensive police reforms to put an end to torture and extrajudicial killings. In this regard, the Ministry of Human Rights has initiated several sensitization and awareness sessions with the police on a range of human rights related issues including respecting the rights of women...