There are 131 State parties to the Convention, which requires signatories to outlaw torture and explicitly prohibits the use of "higher orders" or "exceptional circumstances" as excuses for acts of torture. The Committee was established in 1987 to monitor compliance with the Convention and to assist States parties in implementing its provisions.
Committee’s Concluding Observations on Last Reports Submitted by Spain, Egypt, Cyprus and Venezuela
In the third periodic report of Spain, considered in November 1997, the Committee saw as a positive aspect the measure taken by Spain to incorporate the offence of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment into its domestic legislation. Among concerns cited, the Committee said it continued to receive frequent complaints of acts of torture and ill-treatment, many of which appeared to constitute manifestations of racial discrimination. It recommended, among other things, that competent authorities take measures to eliminate problems related to the excessive length of investigations into complaints of torture and ill-treatment. It also recommended that consideration be given to eliminating instances of extended incommunicado detention and restrictions on the rights of detainees to be assisted by a defence lawyer of their choice.
Committee’s Concluding Observations on Last Reports Submitted by Spain, Egypt, Cyprus and Venezuela
In the third periodic report of Spain, considered in November 1997, the Committee saw as a positive aspect the measure taken by Spain to incorporate the offence of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment into its domestic legislation. Among concerns cited, the Committee said it continued to receive frequent complaints of acts of torture and ill-treatment, many of which appeared to constitute manifestations of racial discrimination. It recommended, among other things, that competent authorities take measures to eliminate problems related to the excessive length of investigations into complaints of torture and ill-treatment. It also recommended that consideration be given to eliminating instances of extended incommunicado detention and restrictions on the rights of detainees to be assisted by a defence lawyer of their choice.