CAT/C/70/2
I. Introduction
1.
Reflecting article 16 (3) of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and in accordance with
rule 33 of its rules of procedure, the Subcommittee prepares an annual report on its activities
as a public document. Pursuant to these provisions, the Subcommittee, in the present report,
addresses its activities from 1 January to 31 December 2020. The Subcommittee considered
and adopted the report at its forty-third session, which was held online from 8 to 12 February
2021.
II. Year in review
A.
Participation in the Optional Protocol system
2.
As at 31 December 2020, a total of 90 States were a party to the Optional Protocol
and 13 States were signatories.
The pattern of regional participation was as follows:
African States
23
Asia-Pacific States
12
Eastern European States
19
Latin American and Caribbean States
15
Western European and other States
21
The regional breakdown of the 13 signatory States was as follows:
B.
African States
8
Asia-Pacific States
1
Eastern European States
1
Latin American and Caribbean States
1
Western European and other States
2
Organizational and membership issues
3.
During the reporting period, the Subcommittee held three one-week sessions. The
fortieth session (10–14 February 2020) was held in Geneva. The forty-first session (15–19
June 2020) and the forty-second session (9–13 November 2020) were held online as a result
of travel restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
4.
There were some changes in the membership of the Subcommittee during the course
of the year.1 In accordance with the procedure pursuant to article 8 of the Optional Protocol,
two new members, Cheikh Tourad Abdel Malick and Marina Langfeldt, joined the
Subcommittee following the resignations for personal reasons of Haimoud Ramdan and
Margret Osterfield, respectively. The new members assumed their duties upon taking their
solemn oath at the fortieth session.
5.
On 3 November, Sofia Vidali resigned from the Subcommittee for personal reasons.
A new member will be appointed in accordance with the procedure pursuant to article 8 of
the Optional Protocol.
6.
On 22 October 2020, at the eighth meeting of States parties to the Optional Protocol,
12 members were elected, including 5 current members, to fill the vacancies arising in respect
of members whose terms of office were expiring on 31 December 2020. The terms of office
1
The list of members is available at www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/OPCAT/Pages/Membership.aspx.
3