1. © 2006 Prohibition of Torture Human Security Dimension Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria

2. © 2006 “Open your newspaper any day of the week and you will find a report from somewhere in the world of someone being imprisoned, tortured or executed because his opinions or religion are unacceptable to his government… The newspaper reader feels a sickening sense of impotence. Yet if these feelings of disgust could be united into common action, something effective could be done.” Peter Benenson, Founder of ai (Amnesty International) Freedom from Poverty

3. © 2006 Prohibition of Torture and Human Security ► The preservation of the physical and psychological integrity of the human being is a central concern of Human Security ►Safeguarding the sanctity of life relates closely to the absolute prohibition of torture and other forms of ill- treatment ►For the quest of Human Security, the FULL realisation of the right to life and personal integrity is primary. Prohibition of Torture

4. © 2006 Cornerstones Prohibition of Torture ENHANCED HUMAN SECURITY AND WELL BEING IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION AGAINST AND THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AND LEARNING

5. © 2006 Global Support for Human Security ►The International Criminal Court, in force and active since 2002, represents a tool to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes at the global level. ►Torture is recognized by its statute as a crime against humanity: – a crime against humanity can be committed in times of armed conflict, but also in times of “peace” –The prerequisite is that torture is conducted in a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population Prohibition of Torture

6. © 2006 Responses to torture in the light of HS ►Establishing an effective legal framework and assuring its full implementation ►Establishing Control Mechanisms ►Ongoing Training Prohibition of Torture Applying appropriate safe- guards for prevention: - fundamental safeguards in custody - combating impunity National visiting mechanisms to places of detention Independent Monitoring Reporting by civil society organisations For police officers, prison guards, lawyers, judges, medical doctors, etc.