E
UNITED
NATIONS
Economic and Social
Council
Distr.
GENERAL
E/CN.4/2004/56
23 December 2003
Original: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Sixtieth 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 or punishment
Report of the Special Rapporteur, Theo van Boven*
Summary
The Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, Theo van Boven, submits his
third report to the Commission. Chapter I summarizes the activities of the Special Rapporteur
in 2003. Chapter II describes the types of communications sent to the Governments by
the Special Rapporteur and describes the urgent appeals procedure. In chapter III, the
Special Rapporteur draws attention to a number of guarantees for individuals deprived of their
liberty with a view to protecting them from the risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Chapter IV examines the question of HIV/AIDS and torture. Chapter V contains some
information on the follow-up to the preliminary study of the Special Rapporteur on the situation
of trade in and production of equipment which is specifically designed to inflict torture or other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, its origin, destination and forms (E/CN.4/2003/69). The
annex to the report contains an index of the reports submitted by the three successive
mandate-holders.
A summary of communications sent by the Special Rapporteur and the replies thereto
from Governments from 15 December 2002 to 15 December 2003, as well as a number of
country-specific observations, is found in addendum 1 to the report. In addendum 2, the
Special Rapporteur presents his report on his visit to Spain. A summary of the information
provided by Governments and non-governmental organizations on implementation of the
recommendations of the Special Rapporteur following country visits is found in addendum 3.
* The endnotes are circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.03-17327 (E) 070104