A/RES/63/166 Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994 and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 3 acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and, when committed in a situation of armed conflict, constitute war crimes, 2F Acknowledging the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in its resolution 61/177 of 20 December 2006, and recognizing that its entry into force as soon as possible and its implementation will make a significant contribution to the prevention of torture, including by prohibiting places of secret detention, Commending the persistent efforts of civil society organizations, including non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions and the considerable network of centres for the rehabilitation of victims of torture, to combat torture and to alleviate the suffering of victims of torture, Welcoming the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 4 which reaffirms that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, 3F 1. Condemns all forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including through intimidation, which are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever and can thus never be justified, and calls upon all States to implement fully the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Emphasizes that States must take persistent, determined and effective 2. measures to prevent and combat torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and stresses that all acts of torture must be made offences under domestic criminal law; Welcomes the establishment of national preventive mechanisms to 3. prevent torture and encourages all States that have not yet done so to establish such mechanisms, and calls upon States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 5 to fulfil their obligation to designate or establish truly independent and effective national preventive mechanisms for the prevention of torture; 4F 4. Emphasizes the importance of States’ ensuring proper follow-up to the recommendations and conclusions of the relevant treaty bodies and mechanisms, including the Committee against Torture, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Condemns any action or attempt by States or public officials to legalize, 5. authorize or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions; _______________ 3 Ibid., vol. 2187, No. 38544. Resolution 61/106, annex I. 5 Resolution 57/199, annex. 4 2