A/HRC/RES/25/13
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
15 April 2014
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Twenty-fifth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council
25/13.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment: mandate of the Special Rapporteur
The Human Rights Council,
Reaffirming that no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment,
Recalling that freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment is a non-derogable right under international law that must be respected and
protected under all circumstances, including in times of international and internal armed
conflict or internal disturbance or any other public emergency, that the absolute prohibition
of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is affirmed in the
relevant international instruments, and that legal and procedural safeguards against such
acts must not be subject to measures that would circumvent this right,
Recalling also that the prohibition of torture is a peremptory norm of international
law, and that international, regional and domestic courts have recognized the prohibition of
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to be customary international law,
Recognizing the importance of the work of the Special Rapporteur in the prevention
and fight against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,
Appreciating the overall dedication of the Special Rapporteur in fulfilling the
mandate,
Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on institution-building of the
Council, and 5/2, on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders of the
Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate holder shall discharge his or her
duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto,
Recalling also all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and
Social Council, the Human Rights Council and the Commission on Human Rights,
GE.14-13582
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