United Nations
A/RES/59/182
General Assembly
Distr.: General
8 March 2005
Fifty-ninth session
Agenda item 105 (a)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2004
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/59/503/Add.1)]
59/182. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment
The General Assembly,
Recalling that freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment is a non-derogable right that must be protected under all
circumstances, including in times of internal or international disturbance or armed
conflict, and that the prohibition of torture is explicitly affirmed in all relevant
international instruments,
Recalling also that a number of international, regional and domestic courts,
including the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for
Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of
the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, have recognized that the prohibition of torture is
a peremptory norm of international law,
Recalling further the definition of torture contained in article 1 of the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment, 1
Recalling the recommendation contained in the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on
25 June 1993 2 that high priority be given to providing the necessary resources to
assist victims of torture and effective remedies for their physical, psychological and
social rehabilitation, inter alia, through additional contributions to the United
Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, and noting with satisfaction the
existence of a considerable international network of centres for the rehabilitation of
victims of torture,
Commending the persistent efforts by non-governmental organizations to
combat torture and to alleviate the suffering of victims of torture,
1.
Condemns all forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, including through intimidation, which are and shall remain
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1
2
04-48718
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1465, No. 24841.
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.