The Federal Government (FG) has launched the National Committee Against Torture (NCAT) in a bid to eliminate torture and inhuman and degrading treatment across the country. The Committee is made up of representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Legal Aids Council, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army (NA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), amongst others.
Speaking during the launch of the Committee, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said the Committee had a vital role to play in preventing torture and other related vices.
He further stated that the Committee has the broad mandate of issues relating to torture in Nigeria in accordance with the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
According to a statement, the Committee’s terms of reference are, “To engage and liaise with the Committee Against Torture (CAT) and regional human rights mechanisms in the context of country reporting, interactive dialogue or facilitation of visits by special procedure mandate holders or the Sub-committees on the Prevention of Torture.
“To organize and facilitate the preparation of reports to CAT and regional human rights mechanisms and of responses to communication, follow up questions and recommendations or decisions received from such mechanisms.
“To coordinate data collection and information gathering from government agencies, National Assembly, and the Judiciary for the reporting and follow up. To foster and lead consultations for reporting and follow up with the National Human Rights Commission and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and to receive and consider communications on torture from individuals, CSOs and government institutions.
“To ensure education and information regarding the prohibition against torture are fully included in the training of law enforcement and public officers. To prepare quarterly briefings to the AGF on cases of torture and propose appropriate administrative/judicial intervention and to propose a review of Anti-Torture legislation and further develop a National Anti-Torture Policy”.