Live webcast of the 47th session of the Committee against Torture

OF THE COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE

Geneva, London, Copenhagen, Oslo, 31 October 2011 – Alkarama, AmnestyInternational, the Human RightsHouse Foundation (HRHF), theInternational Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) and the WorldOrganisation against Torture (OMCT) will jointly webcast the 47th sessionof the U.N. Committee against Torture (CAT).

Five international NGOs arecollaborating to webcast the 47th session of the Committee againstTorture, taking place in Geneva from 31 October. Viewers around the world willbe able to tune in online to watch the Committee's independent experts questionsix States on their implementation of the Convention against Torture.

This joint project of Alkarama,Amnesty International, HRHF, IRCT and OMCT was launched to support the work ofthe Committee and to ensure effective access for all interested parties,particularly national NGOs, to follow the session in real time.

Our organisations stronglybelieve that the live webcast will ensure greater accessibility and in turnunderstanding and ownership of the CAT reporting procedure, thus contributingto better accountability and protection and promotion of human rights in thereviewed countries.

Livewebcast will be available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cat-webcast1

Our organisations will webcastthe following public sessions for which alternative reports and briefings onthe implementation of the Convention against Torture by State parties weresubmitted to the CAT:

Morocco:Alkaramaalternative report (in French)

CAT public session live webcaston 1 November, from 10 to 12 am and on 2 November from 3 to 6 pm Geneva time.

Germany:Amnestyinternational briefing and Joint submission byGerman NGOs

CAT public session livewebcast on 4 November, from 10 to 12 am and on 8 November from 3 to 6 pm Genevatime.

SriLanka: Amnestyinternational briefing andFreedom FromTorture Alternative Report

CAT public session livewebcast on 8 November, from 10 to 12 am and on 9 November from 3 to 6 pm Genevatime.

Madagascar:OMCT alternativereport(in French) and OMCT Executivesummary (in English)

CAT public session livewebcast on 10 November, from 10 to 12 am and on 11 November from 3 to 6 pmGeneva time.

Belarus:JointNGO report supported by HRHF (in English and in Russian)

CAT public session livewebcast on 10 November, from 10 to 12 am and on 14 November from 3 to 6 pmGeneva time.

Greece:OMCT alternativereport and Amnestyinternational briefing

CAT public session livewebcast on 14 November, from 10 to 12 am and on 15 November from 3 to 6 pmGeneva time.