From 29 to 30 April 2008 the APT conducted a national workshop on the drafting and submission of the initial report of Madagascar to the CAT. This workshop, organised jointly with the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with ACAT-Madagascar, gathered about 30 national key actors including: members of the national Committee in charge of the drafting of all Madagascar's reports to international and regional treaty bodies as well as representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Police, Parliament, Judiciary and Penitentiary Services as well as NGOs.

 

Date: 29-30 April 2008
Place: Madagascar
Partners:

Ministry of Justice

ACAT-Madagascar
Purpose: To support Madagascar in the effective implementation of  the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) through the submission of its initial report to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT).
Activities: From 29 to 30 April 2008 the APT conducted a national workshop on the drafting and submission of the initial report of Madagascar to the CAT. This workshop, organised jointly with the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with ACAT-Madagascar, gathered about 30 national key actors including: members of the national Committee in charge of the drafting of all Madagascar's reports to international and regional treaty bodies as well as representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Police, Parliament, Judiciary and Penitentiary Services as well as NGOs. Under the facilitation of the APT Africa Programme and the UN and Legal Programme Officers, the workshop considered a preliminary draft elaborated by the National Drafting Committee. The workshop was conducted as follows:

  • First of all, the APT staff presented an analysis of the Convention against Torture, highlighting key elements that should be contained in the initial report. They introduced participants to the methodology and key elements guiding initial reports drafting process. They also underlined the importance and usefulness of a wide consultative process.
  • The National Drafting Committee briefed participants on the process which led to the preliminary draft to be considered by the workshop. Participants were then divided into four working groups each being assigned a specific part of the preliminary draft to review.
  • Finally, comments and amendment proposals from the working groups were compiled and discussed in the plenary with the aim of being taken by the Drafting Committee to enrich and improve the preliminary draft.

It is important to highlight that the new Minister of Justice, Mrs. Bakolalao RAMANANDRAIBE RANAIVOHARIVONY, participated in the opening and the closing of the workshop. This was encouraging for participants and perceived as a personal commitment. For the APT, it is a sign of the political will of Madagascar authorities to take concrete measures for the prohibition and prevention of torture. It is also important to mention that the APT delegation had met with the Minister of Justice a day before the workshop. She informed the delegation that the national anti-torture law drafted with the technical support of the APT in 2007 is due to be considered by the Parliament for adoption during its May 2008 session.
Next Steps: The next stage of the process will be for the National Drafting Committee to finalise the draft and submit it to the Minister of Justice who will forward it to the CAT.

The APT will continue to support Madagascar for an effective implementation of the UNCAT through implementation of the future national anti-torture law as well as CAT recommendations once the initial report is examined.
   
   

 

News Friday, May 16, 2008