*Statement by Counsellor Ms. Saima Saleem*
*During the Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in the Third Committee of the General Assembly*
*(15 October 2025)*
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Mr. Chair,
We thank the Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, for her sobering report. We share her deep concern over the alarming rise in torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, particularly in situations of armed conflict, and occupation. The report’s findings remind us that torture continues to be used to instill fear, silence dissent, and exert control in conflict situations— a grave affront to human dignity and a violation of the most fundamental norms of international law.
2. The absolute prohibition of torture, enshrined in the Convention against Torture and the Geneva Conventions, admits no exception, neither in war nor emergency. Yet, as the Special Rapporteur observes, torture is increasingly employed by both State and non-State actors with impunity. This trend demands not only condemnation but concrete action: effective prevention mechanisms, independent oversight, and credible accountability for perpetrators.
Mr. Chair,
3. The report’s reference to credible allegations of coercion, forced confessions, and torture in India is deeply worrying. These findings mirror the persistent pattern of abuse in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where political activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and ordinary civilians, including women and children face arbitrary detention, sexual torture, custodial torture, and collective punishment. Such actions, as underscored by the Special Rapporteur, are incompatible with international humanitarian and human rights law and must be subject to impartial investigation and accountability.
Mr. Chair,
4. Pakistan remains committed to upholding the absolute prohibition of torture, strengthen international mechanisms for prevention, and ensure that the dignity and rights of all peoples — especially those living under conflict and occupation are protected and upheld.
5. In this regard, we would be grateful for the Special Rapporteur’s views on how the international community can more effectively prevent torture in situations of armed conflict and foreign occupation, where the absence of independent monitoring and accountability mechanisms allows such violations to persist unchecked.
Thank you.
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