E/CN.4/1991/17
page 1
INTRODUCTION
1.
At its forty-first session, the Commission on Human Rights adopted
resolution 1985/33, by which it decided to appoint a special rapporteur to
examine questions relevant to torture.
2.
On 12 May 1985, the Chairman of the Commission appointed
Mr. Peter Kooijmans (Netherlands) Special Rapporteur, who, in pursuance of
Commission resolutions 1986/50, 1987/29, 1988/32 and 1989/33, submitted
reports (E/CN.4/1986/15, E/CN.4/1987/13, E/CN.4/1988/17 and Add. 1 and
E/CN.4/1989/15) to the Commission at its forty-second, forty-third,
forty-fourth and forty-fifth sessions respectively.
3.
At its forty-sixth session, the Commission had before it the fifth report
of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/1990/17 and Add. 1) and adopted
resolution 1990/34 by which it decided to continue the mandate of the
Special Rapporteur for another two years, while maintaining the annual
reporting cycle in order to enable him to submit further conclusions and
recommendations to the Commission.
4.
In conformity with Commission resolution 1990/34 the Special Rapporteur
hereby presents his sixth report to the Commission. Chapter I of the report
deals with a certain number of aspects pertaining to the Special Rapporteur's
mandate and method of work. Chapter II consists of the correspondence between
the Special Rapporteur and Governments of States with regard to which detailed
information alleging the practice of torture has been received. This chapter
describes, in a summarized form, communications from the Special Rapporteur to
Governments, including both urgent appeals and letters, and Governments'
replies thereto. Chapter III consists of a report on the visit by the
Special Rapporteur to the Philippines. Chapter IV contains conclusions and
recommendations.