Human Rights Watch said the draft Optional Protocol represented the best compromise possible after ten years of difficult negotiations. It addressed many of the concerns previously raised by governments, including the United States.
The U.S. government has objected to the proposal, claiming that prison visits by an international body would be too intrusive. But the system of visits has many checks and balances, ensuring consultation with governments, prior-notification of visits and the confidentiality of reports. It can be adapted to different legal cultures, including federal systems. And if the U.S. government didn´t ratify the new treaty, it would not face any inspections at all.
Human Rights Watch warned that the U.S. proposal to re-open negotiations on the draft would be the kiss-of-death for the treaty.
Abusive governments, many of which have not even signed the Convention Against Torture, would use further negotiations to water down or block the adoption of the protocol.
“By sending this treaty for more negotiations, the United States would be playing into the hands of countries such as Cuba and Iran, which want to block international scrutiny of human rights,” Mungoven said.
Human Rights Watch said the U.S. government should not oppose or delay adoption of the protocol, even if it chose not to ratify the treaty itself.
Human Rights Watch
For more information, please visit Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org
The U.S. government has objected to the proposal, claiming that prison visits by an international body would be too intrusive. But the system of visits has many checks and balances, ensuring consultation with governments, prior-notification of visits and the confidentiality of reports. It can be adapted to different legal cultures, including federal systems. And if the U.S. government didn´t ratify the new treaty, it would not face any inspections at all.
Human Rights Watch warned that the U.S. proposal to re-open negotiations on the draft would be the kiss-of-death for the treaty.
Abusive governments, many of which have not even signed the Convention Against Torture, would use further negotiations to water down or block the adoption of the protocol.
“By sending this treaty for more negotiations, the United States would be playing into the hands of countries such as Cuba and Iran, which want to block international scrutiny of human rights,” Mungoven said.
Human Rights Watch said the U.S. government should not oppose or delay adoption of the protocol, even if it chose not to ratify the treaty itself.
Human Rights Watch
For more information, please visit Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org