A BOOK on torture prevention published by Oxford researchers was discussed at the UN General Assembly.

Last month the team from Oxford Brookes’ Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) launched Does Torture Prevention Work? in New York.

The work assesses whether measures by human rights bodies to prevent torture are effective.

The book was produced by Dr Richard Carver, senior lecturer in human rights and governance and Dr Lisa Handley, visiting research academic, both at Oxford Brookes University, and is the first systematic analysis of that question.

They concluded that the most effective mechanisms against torture were the safeguards that should be given to detainees when they are first arrested, including notification of family or friends and access to a lawyer and medical doctor.

Their findings were discussed at an expert panel meeting in New York at the end of October, hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Washington College of Law and the Association for the Prevention of Torture, who funded the research.

The panel included United Nations (UN) anti-torture mandate holders, Dr Jens Modvig, chairman of the Committee Against Torture, Sir Malcolm Evans, chairman of the Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture and Juan Méndez, the special rapporteur on Torture.

When the experts then presented their respective reports to the UN General Assembly, the book was mentioned.

Dr Carver said: “This was one of the first times a publication by CENDEP researchers has been discussed at the UN General Assembly. It was enormously gratifying for us to have our book and the importance and impact of our findings highlighted.

“Discussions also focused on the need for a new international protocol on investigative interviewing by law enforcement officials, reasoning which corresponds precisely to one of the key conclusions of our research: that reduced reliance on confession evidence in criminal investigations is likely to lead to a decrease in the incidence of torture and other ill-treatment of suspects.”

Primary research for the book was conducted in 16 countries, looking at their experience of torture and prevention mechanisms over a 30-year period.

For more information visit CENDEP blog.