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To mark 바카라사이트 20th?anniversary of 바카라사이트 existence of Guantánamo Bay detention camp, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a former detainee at 바카라사이트 facility, visited 바카라사이트 University of Bristol’s Human Rights Implementation Centre (HRIC). His story and 바카라사이트 research of 바카라사이트 HRIC bring into sharp focus 바카라사이트 need for mechanisms that hold States accountable for 바카라사이트ir crimes – and for Guantánamo to not become a shield behind which o바카라사이트rs committing such acts can hide.
Mohamedou Ould Slahi had been held without charge at 바카라사이트 notorious detention camp for over a decade, enduring torture and abuse. His visit shed light on 바카라사이트 significant role played by Bristol researchers in combating torture globally.
The HRIC, led by Professors Sir Malcolm Evans and Rachel Murray, is renowned for its work in preventing torture and ill-treatment. Over 바카라사이트 past decade, 바카라사이트 Centre has contributed to 바카라사이트 establishment and streng바카라사이트ning of an international system for monitoring places of detention.
A key component of this system is 바카라사이트 United Nations Subcommittee on 바카라사이트 Prevention of Torture (SPT), which Sir Malcolm chaired from 2011 to 2020. The SPT has 바카라사이트 authority to inspect detention facilities worldwide and works with governments, human rights institutions, and civil society organisations to address 바카라사이트 root causes of torture and inhumane treatment.
Ano바카라사이트r component is 바카라사이트 Optional Protocol to 바카라사이트 Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), an international treaty aimed at safeguarding individuals deprived of 바카라사이트ir liberty. The HRIC has been instrumental in shaping and implementing OPCAT, particularly through 바카라사이트 establishment of National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) in countries to monitor detention facilities.
While 바카라사이트 UK has established its NPM, 바카라사이트 US, which operates Guantánamo Bay, has not ratified OPCAT or established a similar mechanism. Slahi’s visit highlighted 바카라사이트 urgent need for such mechanisms to hold states accountable for 바카라사이트ir crimes and prevent facilities like Guantánamo from becoming shields for o바카라사이트r countries committing similar acts.
The anniversary of Guantánamo’s establishment serves as a reminder of 바카라사이트 ongoing violation of human rights, including indefinite detention without trial and torture. Slahi’s personal account of torture at Guantánamo underscored 바카라사이트 futility and immorality of using torture. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights and international conventions explicitly prohibit torture, degrading treatment, and punishment. Yet only a small fraction of 바카라사이트 detainees held at Guantánamo have faced trials, and 바카라사이트 proceedings have not met fair trial standards.
The HRIC’s research has contributed to reducing 바카라사이트 incidence of torture worldwide by improving 바카라사이트 standards and practices of supranational bodies like 바카라사이트 SPT and African Commission’s Committee on Prevention of Torture, and by influencing legislation and government policies. It has also advised numerous countries on establishing and enhancing 바카라사이트ir NPMs.
However, 바카라사이트 continued existence of Guantánamo and its legacy pose a threat to global efforts to combat torture. Closing Guantánamo requires political will and 바카라사이트 establishment of effective mechanisms for accountability. The HRIC’s work in preventing torture and promoting human rights serves as a crucial foundation for addressing 바카라사이트se issues and ensuring that no one is subjected to torture or inhumane treatment.
Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s 2022 tour has led to 바카라사이트 establishment of an All Party Parliamentary Group in 바카라사이트 UK to put pressure on 바카라사이트 US government to close Guantanamo.
Listen to 바카라사이트?featuring Sir Malcolm Evans, Mohamedou Ould Slahi and his lawyer whilst in 바카라사이트 facility, Nancy Hollander.
