CAT/C/55/2 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 4 September 2015 Original: English Committee against Torture Guidelines on the receipt and handling of allegations of reprisals against individuals and organizations cooperating with the Committee against Torture under articles 13, 19, 20 and 22 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment* General provisions 1. Further to the establishment of a mechanism to prevent, monitor and follow up cases of reprisal against civil society organizations, human rights defenders, victims and witnesses engaging with the human rights treaty body system and the designation of rapporteurs on reprisals (see A/69/44, para. 25) and in the light of the decision taken by the Chairs of the treaty bodies at their twenty-sixth meeting (see A/69/285, para. 111), the Committee against Torture adopts the present guidelines on the receipt and handling of allegations of reprisals against individuals and organizations cooperating with the Committee under articles 13, 19, 20 and 22 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 2. In handling allegations of reprisals, the Committee will follow the Guidelines against Intimidation or Reprisals (“San José Guidelines”) adopted by the Chairs of the human rights treaty bodies at their twenty-seventh meeting, held in San José from 22 to 26 June 2015 (see HRI/MC/2015/6). Article 13 3. The Committee wishes to recall that, pursuant to article 13 of the Convention, each State party shall take steps to ensure that the complainant and the witnesses are protected against all ill-treatment or intimidation as a consequence of the complaint made or any evidence given. In the context of the Committee’s operation, reprisals can occur in Geneva, in the home country of the person or organization concerned or elsewhere. 4. Reprisals constitute a form of cruel treatment or punishment under article 16 of the Convention and may amount to torture in certain circumstances. 5. When information related to alleged reprisals comes to the attention of the Committee, whether during or between its sessions, which are held in Geneva, the * Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-fifth session (27 July-14 August 2015). GE.15-14999(E) *1514999*

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