E
UNITED
NATIONS
Economic and Social
Council
Distr.
GENERAL
E/CN.4/2003/68
17 December 2002
Original: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Fifty-ninth session
Item 11 (a) of the provisional agenda
CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE QUESTIONS
OF TORTURE AND DETENTION
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture submitted
in accordance with Commission resolution 2002/38
Executive summary
The Special Rapporteur, Theo van Boven, submits his second report to the Commission.
Chapter I deals with aspects of the mandate and methods of work. With a view to enhancing
cooperation with all parties concerned, the methods of work are briefly described in this chapter.
Chapter II summarizes the Special Rapporteur’s activities in 2002 and chapter III contains his
general conclusions and recommendations. A revised version of the recommendations made by
his predecessor (A/56/156, para. 39) are presented in this chapter. The Special Rapporteur
would like again to encourage States to reflect upon them as a useful tool in efforts to combat
torture. The summary of communications sent by the Special Rapporteur and the replies thereto
from Governments from 1 December 2001 to 15 December 2002, as well as country-specific
observations, may be found in addendum 1 to this report.
GE.02-16049 (E) 271202