Logan Rogers
Badger High
Delegation of Ireland
6th Committee (Legal)
Definition of International Torture
Although Ireland does not extensively use or discuss torture policies, the country does
have some stake in the matter. In 1972, the British Government tortured members of the IRA
(Irish Republican Army) without any form of trial. Although the acts perpetrated by the IRA
members are considered heinous acts of violence, the basic right to a trial and human rights still
needs to be upheld. Amnesty International, a human rights organization, has urged the reopening
of this specific case (The Republic of Ireland v. The United Kingdom) under the grounds that it
is being used to justify torture elsewhere in the world (eg: The United States).
Rather than reopening the case, the delegation of Ireland proposes defining actual
punishment for nations suspected of torture worldwide, to avoid going to court with a close
international ally. The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (CAT) does not detail any sanctions, just that they are a viable means
of punishment. Security Council Member States also have the power to veto sanctions, so if a
nation on the Security Council violates CAT, they have the power to stop any sanctions. The
Delegation of Ireland hereby proposes the following amendments to CAT.
Part 1, Article 14:
3.
Any nation or state found in violation of the definition of torture as defined by by Article
1 of this treaty, shall be investigated and punished with temporary economic, travel, financial,
and/or political sanctions until deemed appropriate.
4.
If a member of the Security Council is found to be in violation of the definition as
defined by Article 1, shall have sanction veto power revoked until the end of the investigation,
trial, or punishment.
5.
Compensation provided under Article 14, Section 1, will be payed out by the offending
nation.
6.
These punishments may only be applied to nations after the ratification of these
amendments and no past offense can be brought to trial.
7.
These additions to the treaty will take effect one year after ratification.