The 1984 UN Convention against Torture (CAT) is the most comprehensive human rights treaty addressing torture as well as other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. It provides a definition of torture and a comprehensive legal framework prohibiting torture in any situation. The Committee against Torture is the UN treaty body which monitors the implementation of the CAT.
China ratified the CAT in 1988 and is thus legally obliged to uphold the rights enshrined in the convention. The Committee against Torture will review China’s performance in this area during the Committee's 56th session, which takes place between 9 November and 9 December 2015.
In October 2015 we submitted research on China to the Committee against Torture. Our submission focuses on torture and ill-treatment in extra-legal detention facilities, forced repatriation of North Korean asylum seekers, and China’s legislative and legal reform concerning torture and ill-treatment.