10th Anniversary of the Robben Island Guidelines:

Putting an end to torture in Africa

BANJUL, 15 August 2012.

Torture is one of the most profound violations of human rights and dignity. In 2002, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights adopted the Robben Island Guidelines, a first consolidated effort to prohibit and prevent torture in Africa. 10 years later, time has come to take stock of the developments in the region.

• How have the Robben Island Guidelines been used to improve national systems to prevent torture and other ill-treatment?

• What are the challenges that still remain in the fight against torture in Africa and what are possible solutions?

These questions will be the focus of discussions when regional and international experts on prevention of torture meet in Johannesburg on 21-23 August 2012 for a commemorative seminar organized by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights), in collaboration with the South African Human Rights Commission, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT).
The seminar will feature a variety of prominent speakers including:

• Mr. Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, South Africa;

• Mrs. Dupe Atoki, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (CPTA);

• Mr. Musa Gassama, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for East Africa;

• Mr. Mark Thomson, Secretary General of the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Geneva, Switzerland;

• Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who will address participants in the evening of 21 August 2012

Participants from more than 25 countries also include representatives from Government institutions, National human rights institutions, civil society organizations as well as Commissioners of the African Commission, former Robben Island detainees, Parliamentarians, law practitioners and international experts in the field of torture prevention.


The seminar details:
DATE:          21-23 August 2012
VENUE:      Sunnyside Park Hotel, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.

For further information and media accreditation, please contact:
Tem Fuh Mbuh, Secretariat of the African Commission    
Tel: +220 7530300, e-mail: tem_fuh@yahoo.com  
 Noami Webster, South African Human Rights Commission
Tel: +27118773802, e-mail: nwebster@sahrc.org.za
Or visit www.sahrc.org.za
                     Media queries contact:
Isaac Mangena
South African Human Rights Commission
Head: Communications
+27118776303
2771884 8273
imangena@sahrc.org.za