15 Mar 2016

Fiji ratifies UN anti torture treaty

6:56 pm on 15 March 2016

Fiji has ratified the UN Convention Against Torture.

The government says the instrument of ratification was deposited at the UN in New York today by Fiji's representative at the UN Peter Thomson.

The final formality brings the international agreement into force in the country.

Fiji has become the 158th country to ratify UNCAT.

The move obliges Fiji to bring its laws into line with the treaty over coming years.

UNCAT obliges countries to prohibit, prevent, punish, provide redress and report on torture and other cruel or inhuman treatment.

Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Peter Thomson, receives the instruments of ratification for the UN Convention Against Torture at the UN

Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Peter Thomson (L), receives the instruments of ratification for the UN Convention Against Torture at the UN Photo: Supplied

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs