As part of our goal to support Governments in their efforts towards ratifying and implementing the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT, or Convention), CTI hosts Government delegations to undertake “study visits” in Geneva, Switzerland.
Our study visits provide an opportunity for non-States-parties or newly ratified States to the Convention to learn about what being a State party entails, what steps are needed to ratify or accede to the Convention, and to prepare the groundwork for ratification/accession, implementation and reporting.
"Our study visit and engagement with CTI has been very enlightening and we leave Geneva with a sense of empowerment that will translate into action towards UNCAT ratification."
Visits are tailored to the needs and wishes of the individual Government, and are not used to lobby or pressure States to ratify.
Visits are constructive (“no name, no shame”) and confidential. Any publicity regarding the visit is at the discretion of the visiting Government.
“We were very pleased with the study visit that CTI organised. Through a mix of seminars, meetings with high ranking UN officials and sharing experiences with countries that have also gone through the ratification process, we were able to understand fully the ratification process and build constructive relationships with many partners that can best assist us in our future deliberations on ratifying the Convention.”
The composition of a delegation participating in a study visit is decided by the State in question, and would normally comprise 5-6 professionals involved in the State’s work related to preparing a decision for ratification or working in areas covered by the Convention.
This could involve representatives from, for example, foreign affairs, justice/legal affairs, police/law enforcement, the prisons service, human rights, national security; and/or the Attorney-General’s Office or Law Commission. At the discretion of the visiting Government, the delegation may include representatives of bar associations or the national human rights commission or other relevant stakeholders.
Download the CTI Study Visits one-pager in PDF here.
Interested in undertaking a study visit? Please send your request to info@cti.international.
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.