Prevention of Torture in Iran: UN Resolution and Amnesty International’s 12-Point Program
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: MDE 13/06/84
Distr: SC/CC/CO
Abolition of Torture – Iran – 1
28 November 1984
Resolution 1984/54 on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran adopted on 14 March 1984 by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
“The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the principles embodies in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to fulfill the obligations they have undertaken under the various international instruments in this field, ….
Expresses its deep concern at the continuing serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Islamic Republic of Iran as reflected in the report of the Secretary-General, and particularly at the evidence of summary and arbitrary executions, torture, detention without trial, religious intolerance and persecution, in particular of the Baha’is, and the lack of an independent judiciary and other recognized safeguards for a fair trial; Urges once more the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to respect and ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in that Covenant …”EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: MDE 13/06/84
Distr: SC/CC/CO
Abolition of Torture – Iran – 2
28 November 1984
THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE IN IRAN:
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S 12-POINT PROGRAM
In its Declaration against Torture, adopted in 1975, the United Nations General Assembly condemned torture as an offence to human dignity and said that no state may permit or tolerate it. IT called on every state to take effective measures “to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment from being practiced within its jurisdiction.”
Amnesty International has issued a 12-point program of practical measures for the prevention of torture. In view of the detailed and recurrent reports of torture in Iran over the years, Amnesty International believes the Iranian Government should implement the 12-Point Program as a sign of its commitment to stop torture and uphold human rights. The following points are especially relevant:
The highest authorities of Iran should issue clear public instructions to the Revolutionary Guards and all other officials involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of prisoners that torture will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The government should ensure that all detainees are brought before a judicial authority promptly after being taken into custody and that relatives, lawyers and doctors have prompt and regular access to them.
Relatives and lawyers should be informed promptly of the whereabouts of detainees. NO one should be held in secret or unacknowledged detention.
There should be regular, independent visits of inspection to places of detention to ensure that torture does not take place.
The Iranian Government should establish an impartial body to investigate all complaints and reports of torture. Its findings and methods of investigation should be made public.
Steps should be taken to ensure that confessions or other evidence obtained through torture may never be invoked in legal proceedings.
All acts of torture should be made punishable offences under the criminal law.
Where it is proved that an act of torture has been committed by or at the instigation of a public official, criminal proceedings should be instituted against the alleged offender.
It should be made clear during the training of all officials who are involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of prisoners that torture is a criminal act. They should be instructed that they are obliged to refuse to obey any order to torture. The United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners should be widely disseminated.
Victims of torture and their dependants should be afforded redress and compensation for their material and moral sufferings, without prejudice to any other civil or criminal proceedings.