Galvanized by the persistence and entrenchment of the use of torture and ill-treatment in many countries, the Convention against Torture Initiative is an innovative, joint collaboration between States for States, working together to see the UNCAT universally ratified and better implemented and to inspire each other toward better performance on torture prevention and response.
CTI supports governments in overcoming particular challenges standing in the way of UNCAT implementation, such as gaps in resource, human capacity and technical expertise. We work with States to understand the political, economic, legal, cultural and social processes and structures that allow torture and ill-treatment to occur, and how and why it persists. We address those situations and populations more likely to be at risk, and help authorities put in place preventive mechanisms, procedures and safeguards. Our capacity building and other support packages are geared for ODA-recipient countries.
It is not our role to ‘name and shame.’ We provide positive, non-judgemental support to governments through strong partnerships and inter-State cooperation as they seek to strengthen their anti-torture measures.
We provide bespoke support to help governments address the specific barriers they face, such as gaps in resources, human capacity and technical expertise, to enable more effective reduction and prevention of the risks of torture and ill-treatment.
Our approach is motivational rather than prescriptive, inspiring each other to better performance across the board by highlighting examples of progress in achieving dignified and rule-based governance.
"We want, once and for all, to remove torture from the toolkit of terror and oppression and to put an end to the profound traumas and societal wounds caused by this violent practice."
The adoption of the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) in 1984 was a landmark in the global fight against torture and ill-treatment. The Convention underlines a fundamental principle: Torture is never, under any circumstances, justified.
UNCAT is one of the most widely supported human rights treaties. Yet the use of torture and ill-treatment in many countries remains persistent and entrenched.
In launching CTI in March 2014, the Governments of Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco appealed to fellow United Nations Member States for the need to protect all persons from torture and ill-treatment – in all parts of the world. To do so would require new thinking, constructive collaboration and shared responsibilities.
Based on this vision and marking the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UNCAT, the Foreign Ministers of Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia and Morocco launched the Convention against Torture Initiative – CTI – on 3 March 2014 at a high-level meeting during the 25th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
At the 40th session of the Human Rights Council in 2019, the 35th year of the Convention, Fiji joined the CTI core States.
By the end of 2024, on the completion of CTI’s initial ten year mandate, 21 new States had joined the convention and the demand for CTI’s unique methodology and support remained high. Seeing the proven effectiveness of their initiative, the core States decided to extend its mandate for a second phase until the end of 2030. They were joined by The Bahamas in 2025 as the seventh CTI core State, which lends its support to ratification efforts in the Caribbean and beyond.
CTI’s expert team responds confidentially to governments and national institutions, offering one-to-one technical support on a wide range of issues relevant to the implementation of UNCAT – such as police and law enforcement, legislative review and reform, policy drafting, prison reform, complaints, investigations and prosecutions, and redress for victims. We have advised many governments and supported them in taking action on torture prevention, eradication and redress.
Contact us at info@cti.international.