Committee against Torture

The UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) is a body of ten independent human rights experts that monitors implementation of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by its State parties. The Committee is one of eight UN-linked human rights treaty bodies. All state parties are obliged under the Convention to submit regular reports to the CAT on how rights are being implemented. Upon ratifying States parties are obliged to submit reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented every four years.  The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of “concluding observations”.

Under certain circumstances, the Committee may also, under certain circumstances, consider individual complaints or communications from individuals claiming that their rights under the Convention have been violated, undertake inquiries, and consider inter-state complaints.

The Committee also publishes its interpretation of the content of the provisions of the Convention, known as general comments on thematic issues.

The CAT usually meets in April/May and November each year in Geneva. Members are elected to four-year terms by state parties and can be re-elected if nominated.

(Source: OHCHR.org)