PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 55 – Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Torture [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

UK statement for Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Torture. Delivered at the 55th Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK fully supports the Special Rapporteur’s focus on the importance of adequate detention conditions in prisons.

Detainees must be treated with humanity and dignity – this is a clear obligation under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

With this in mind, we encourage all States to ensure allegations of mistreatment are thoroughly investigated, and to fully comply with their international obligations.

As reflected in your report, all states must guarantee minimum standards of humane treatment. We share the concerns outlined in your press release of January 2024 that some of the evidence that may be used to prosecute Jimmy Lai was allegedly obtained through torture of Andy Li. No evidence gained via torture can be valid evidence.

Within the UK, we are taking urgent action to improve prison safety and security. This is alongside wider reforms to overhaul the prison system, focused on the rehabilitation of offenders and delivering safer prisons.

To help reduce the UK prison populations, we are reforming the licence period for offenders serving an Imprisonment for Public Protection sentence. Reforms include a clear statutory presumption that the licence will be terminated by the Parole Board at the end of the three-year qualifying period.

Special Rapporteur,

What best practices to combat overcrowding in prisons have you observed from States?

Thank you.