Guide to the UN Against Torture in South Africa
This publication, written by Lukas Muntingh, was released in November 2008. It provides an up to date guide to the implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) which South Africa ratified in December 1998.
As a guide to the CAT it is aimed at civil society organisations,
human rights activists and officials working with people deprived of
their liberty. As South Africa’s next Periodic Report is due in
December 2009, this guide should assist organisations planning to
provide in-put on the report and also submit information to the UN
Committee against Torture. The guide is divided in six chapters as
follows:
The absolute prohibition of torture in international law
Framing the problem of torture in a South African context
The CAT and South Africa’s obligations
The Committee against Torture and South Africa
Recent case law
Domestic and international stakeholders in preventing and combating
torture.