Today, on the 10th of December, the world observes Human Rights Day - a moment to reassert our shared commitment to fulfilling fundamental rights and freedoms. This year’s commemoration is significant as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). As one of the nine core human rights treaties, this convention has been a cornerstone of global efforts to protect individuals from some of the most atrocious crimes.
The UN General Assembly adopted CAT in 1984 - a time when Cold War tensions and the struggle of decolonized nations for self-determination shaped the geopolitical agenda. Across the world, governments routinely used political imprisonment and torture as a tool of repression. In an era when powerful countries often supported such crimes in pursuit of their geopolitical interests, the need for an unequivocal stance against torture became indispensable. Civil society organizations like Amnesty International rallied to shed light on these atrocities, building global awareness and inspiring action to protect human dignity even in the darkest corners of hidden prison cells. In the United Nations, an increasing number of countries took a firm stand against torture and pushed for an international treaty that would set a global protection standard. The result was the adoption of CAT.1 It was a commitment by nations to not only condemn but prohibit torture together with all forms of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment. Its adoption was a milestone, a message that human dignity must be upheld always and everywhere.
As we look back on four decades of action and celebrate important achievements, we also recognize that meaningful compliance with CAT has been insufficient. Even though 174 states have ratified the convention, reports of torture and ill-treatment continue to appear worldwide. Challenges to fulfill the obligations often stem from a lack of political will and limited capacities to enforce existing standards. Many countries face obstacles in setting up independent oversight bodies that could ensure legal safeguards. In some regions, police brutality, overcrowded prisons, and unchecked security forces create environments where torture and ill-treatment continue to be normalized among duty-bearers and powerholders. Even in countries with a strong human rights tradition, we see that emerging challenges, such as surges in migration, have informed policies that increase the risk of non-compliance.3 Amnesty International estimates that torture occurs in around three-quarters of the world.
Therefore, it is very timely that the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has decided to advance its efforts to implement the provisions of CAT, which it ratified in 2012. Just a few days ago, the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the submission of the country’s initial report under the Convention. This is a crucial step for engaging the CAT human rights mechanism and driving meaningful change. While steady follow-up on the next steps in the reporting cycle is critical for receiving the Concluding Observations in a timely manner, the current momentum provides an opportunity to reinforce tangible actions beyond the formal reporting requirements. The drafting of the Initial State Report was accompanied by extensive consultations and data collection. It revealed both challenges and entry points to improve the protection of people under CAT. Acting upon these insights proactively would allow the Lao PDR to show its dedication to human rights beyond its formal engagement with the expert committee.
The Lao Government has made commendable efforts in the past years to comply with its reporting obligations under human rights treaties. This is a welcome development and proof of a strong commitment to human rights across all levels of the Government. Following up with prompt, tangible actions to implement the recommendations of the Human Rights Treaty Bodies is even more important.
At the heart of human rights is equality and fairness, the recognition that every person has dignity and value. Human rights connect us to each other through a shared set of rights and responsibilities. Governments have a particular responsibility to ensure that people can exercise their rights. International human rights instruments require them to align the national legal framework with international standards, and to ensure that laws, policies, procedures and mechanisms are in place at the national level for the enjoyment of human rights across the country. It is therefore crucial that human rights violations be condemned and sanctioned, so that impunity can be fought in pursuit of universal access to justice.
Human rights do not exist on paper and are not upheld through reports. They are realized when they are fulfilled in people's everyday lives.
For CAT, this implies widening the horizon of the ongoing engagement by empowering victims to seek justice for torture and ill-treatment, ensuring accessible support systems for survivors, allowing community-driven oversight, and guaranteeing responsive medical and psychological aid. Working on these key issues will enable anti-torture commitments to become a reality in the everyday lives of the Lao people.
This is not an easy endeavor. It will require a whole-of-government approach and greater accountability for duty-bearers and powerholders. For the seventh year in a row, the global rule of law has declined in most countries.4 For the first time in more than two decades, the world has now more autocracies than democracies5 and trust in government has been on the decline in many societies.6 The promise of a torture-free world lives and dies with our ability to strengthen accountability and the rule of law at the national, regional, and global levels.
With the submission of its Initial State Report, the Lao PDR has shown its commitment to play an active role in meaningful change. UNDP is fully available to support the Government in this aspiration, working closely with other UN Agencies, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organizations. Only through joint efforts, under the leadership of the Lao Government, can we effectively enhance the fulfillment of all obligations under CAT. Together, we can pave the way for a future where every person can enjoy their human rights.