As part of event marking the ongoing ACHPR 40th Ordinary Session, a book on the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment in African Human Rights systems was last Wednesday launched by Justice Sanj M. Monangeng of the Gambia High Court at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The book - entitled Handbook for Victims and their Advocates: the Prohibition of Torture and Ill-treatment in the African Human Rights System - was authored by Frans Viljoen and Chidi Odinkalu of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

The 4-volume series, originally written in English and centred on African, European, American and Asian Human Rights issues, have also been published in French and Spanish.
In her launching statement, Justice Monangeng, an ACHPR commissioner and chairperson of the follow-up committee on the Implementation of the Robben Island Guidelines on the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture, said the international community has come a long way from 1948 to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which prohibits torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.

The growing number of torture and other inhuman treatment calls for strategic and proactive planning, Ms Monangeng said, adding that the Handbook for Victims and their Advocates is critical to the fight against torture, cruel, inhuman and other treatment. She further pointed out that the coming into force of the Convention Against Torture, would improve human rights standards regionally and internationally.

Frans Viljoen, one of the authors, said the book is published in four texts covering developments and reports on human rights issues in Africa, Europe, America and Asia, with special emphasis on victims of torture and activities of advocates.

Eric Sattas, Director of World Organisation Against Torture, chaired the launching ceremony.