- Atlanta - Boston - Chicago - DC Area - Houston - Jersey Area - Los Angeles - New York - SF Bay Area
- Earlier editions
- Astrology - Cricket - Money - Movies - Women - India News - US News
The United States is once again set on a collision course with its allies in the United Nations over establishment of an international and independent system for inspection of detention centres and prisons to ensure that inmates are not tortured.
Washington is planning to block the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)'s proposed vote on the optional protocol to the Convention of Torture.
The adoption of the protocol is essential for the decade-old Convention against torture to become enforceable.
The US, diplomats said, wants to reopen negotiations on the wording adopted in the protocol, in Geneva in April.
Among its concerns is language that could allow for international and independent visits to US prisons, including that on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which houses former members of Afghanistan's Taliban militia.
The US government claims that prison visits by an international body would be too intrusive.
Human rights advocates swear by the 15-page document called the optional protocol, which enjoys wide support in countries in Western European and Latin America.
They point out that the system of visits has many checks and balances, ensuring consultation with governments, prior-notification of visits and the confidentiality of reports.
If adopted by ECOSOC, the protocol would go the UN General Assembly where it needs to be approved by a majority of the 190 member states. It then requires 20 ratifications before it can be enforced.
Meanwhile, the US based Human Rights Watch has said the reopening of negotiations would the 'kiss-of-death' for the treaty and 'abusive governments', many of which have not even signed the Convention, would use these to water down or block the protocol.
"Yet again the Bush Administration is on a collision course with its allies over an important new mechanism to protect human rights," said Rory Mungoven, global advocacy director for the Human Rights Watch.
"Last week, it was the international criminal court. This week, it's the prevention of torture," he said.
The draft protocol represents the best compromise possible after ten years of difficult negotiations, he stressed.
HRW said it addressed many of the concerns previously raised by governments, including the US.
PTI
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
