Alliance for Torture-Free Trade
18 September 2017, New York
We, the members of the Alliance for Torture-Free Trade, reiterate our firm commitment to the respect for the human rights of all human beings.
We underline that no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
We recall the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
We are deeply concerned that torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is still perpetrated in countries in all regions of the world and capital punishment is still carried out in several countries.
We condemn not only the use, but also the production, trade, export and import of goods that have no practical use other than for the purpose of capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in line with our commitments under international law.
We acknowledge that the availability of goods used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment enables such practices.
We recognise the benefits of further awareness raising about the impact of trade in goods that could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
We are resolved to acting together to further prevent, restrict and end trade in goods which are intended to be used for capital punishment, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
We are determined to adopt legislation and efficient enforcement systems for the restriction and elimination of trade in goods that could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
We commit ourselves to strengthen cooperation in this area and to form a global network of Focal Points for the sharing of information and best practices.
We undertake to make available technical assistance for the design and implementation of relevant legislation.