A/HRC/RES/37/19
13.
Emphasizes the essential role of law enforcement officials, judges,
prosecutors and lawyers in safeguarding the right not to be subjected to torture and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and that States should ensure the
effective administration of justice, including by taking effective measures to combat
corruption in the administration of justice, establishing proper legal aid programmes and
having law enforcement officials, judges, prosecutors and lawyers adequately and in
sufficient numbers selected, trained and remunerated;
14.
Calls upon States, in the training of law enforcement personnel, judges,
prosecutors and other relevant public officials, to include education and information
regarding the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment and to enhance their awareness of how the risks of corruption in
the performance of their functions may increase the risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment;
15.
Stresses that corruption in any area of the justice system has a negative
impact on its independence, impartiality and effectiveness, including its mechanisms that
investigate and prosecute acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment and provide access to justice, redress and compensation for victims of such
acts;
16.
Emphasizes that independent oversight and complaints mechanisms and an
independent, impartial and effective justice system contribute to accountability, which is
essential to the prevention of corruption and of torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment, including if facilitated or practiced due to or as a result
of corruption;
17.
Also emphasizes that States are obligated to ensure that any person who
alleges to have been subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment in any territory under its jurisdiction has the right to complain to the competent
authorities, and that steps are taken to ensure that the complainant and witnesses are
protected against all ill-treatment or intimidation as a consequence of his or her complaint
or any evidence given;
18.
Calls upon States to ensure accountability for acts of torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and in this regard stresses that preventing
and combating corruption are important in ensuring the ability of the competent national
authorities to investigate promptly, effectively, independently and impartially all allegations
of such acts;
19.
Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Special Rapporteur on
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of r punishment;2
20.
Invites the Special Rapporteur and other relevant special procedures, within
their respective mandates, to take the present resolution into account in their future work.
54th meeting
23 March 2018
[Adopted without a vote.]
2
A/HRC/37/50.
3