U.N. urges Iraq to ratify convention againsttorture

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The United Nations on Saturday urged Iraq to
ratify the organization's convention against
torture "in the nearest future."
Ad Melkert, special U.N. representative in Iraq,
called on Iraq "to intensify monitoring and
investigating allegations of ill-treatment and
torture of detainees and prisoners" to make
sure those responsible for such actions are
held accountable.
"Iraqi has come a long way in recognizing
human rights as a priority for building a
democratic state where human dignity is
preserved and protected but there is yet much
more to be done," Melkert said.
The request was made on the annual
International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture.
So far, 147 countries have ratified the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment; 45 U.N.-member nations,
including Iraq, have not yet signed.
The convention calls on nations "to make
torture a crime and to prosecute and punish
those guilty of it."