Workshop on engaging with UN Anti-Torture Mechanisms

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) and the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (NSW STARTTS) are pleased to invite expressions of interest to participate in a special workshop on engaging with UN anti-torture mechanisms, held on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

This powerful workshop is designed for community leaders and members of diaspora communities who are originally from – or have ancestral connections to – countries where torture is used systematically to silence dissent and opposition.

This workshop will strengthen your knowledge on torture prevention mechanisms and build your capacity to engage with them on behalf of your community.

Workshop Topics:

• what constitutes the legal definition of torture,
• what is meant by ‘other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’,
• the role of the UN CAT Committee,
• how and when to engage in the Periodic Review Process and the types of information that is relevant to the Committee when making a report,
• the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) and the role of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (UN SPT) and National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), and
• how to engage with the UN SPT and the NPM.

There are only 20 places available.

Agenda:

Venue: Parliament of New South Wales, Preston Stanley Room, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
Time: 2.00 PM – 5:30 PM (Registration from 1-2 PM)

Welcome to the training: Noam Peleg, Associate Professor and Director – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Faculty of Law and Justice, University of New South Wales

Training: Steven Caruana, Detention Monitoring and Torture Prevention Treaty (OPCAT) Coordinator (ACT NPM Coordinator), Commonwealth Ombudsman

• Session 1: Introduction to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UN CAT) and the UN CAT Committee
• Session 2: The UN CAT Committee and the Periodic Review Process
• Session 3: Introduction to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (UN OPCAT)

Thank You: Jasmina Bajraktarevic, Community Services Coordinator, NSW STARTTS

Bios

Steven Caruana is the Detention Monitoring and Torture Prevention Treaty (OPCAT) Coordinator (ACT NPM Coordinator) with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. In this position he promotes collaboration, cooperation and consistency between the three bodies that make up the ACT National Preventive Mechanism (ACT Ombudsman, ACT Human Rights Commission and the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services).

Noam Peleg is an Associate Professor and Director – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Faculty of Law and Justice, University of New South Wales, Australia. Noam’s work focuses on international children’s rights law and its intersection with human rights law, childhood studies, and family law. Noam is also a DTP Board member.

Jasmina Bajraktarevic-Hayward, a Social Worker and refugee from BosniaHerzegovina, manages STARTTS’ Community Services Program. With vast experience in community development and mental health initiatives, she leads diverse teams and projects, enhancing support for refugees. Jasmina is also the President of the Refugee Council of Australia and actively contributes to several advocacy networks.