The Special Rapporteur highlights the fact that torture remains a global phenomenon which is still practiced in many countries. According to him, the conditions of detention in several countries amount to degrading treatment, detainees being the most vulnerable sector of the society. Among them, certain groups are subject to double discrimination and vulnerability (such as women, children, drug addicts etc).
He recommends that all States must criminalize torture and ratify the UN Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and fully implement their provisions.
Citation: Manfred Nowak, 'Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment' (2010) A/HRC/13/39