Workshop on the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

In the latest evaluation of the Macao SAR by the Committee against Torture of the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), a training need was identified for the personnel in the Security branches. In this regard, the Committee recommended that the Macao SAR should consider the provision of specialized training in the CAT area, bearing in mind the “Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”, better known as the Istanbul Protocol.

Given the importance of this type of specific training for the personnel in the Security branches, as an opportunity to update the competences in their area of intervention and in particular the implementation of the Convention Against Torture (CAT), the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ) and the Macao Security Forces Training College (ESFSM) will jointly organize a workshop on “Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)”, which will take place from April 8 to 12, from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14: 30 to 17:30, in the auditorium of the Judiciary Police School, located at 517 Avenida da Praia Grande, Commercial Nam Tung Building, 14^th floor, Macao, for the staff of the Unitary Police Service of the MSAR, the Customs Services of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Judiciary Police and the Public Security Police Force.

The workshop is integrated as part of the 3^rd Macao Special Administrative Region - EU Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field and this activity will feature as its guest speakers Mr. Michael KELLETT, Vice president of the Board of Association for the Prevention of Torture, Geneva, Switzerland and Member of Independent Enquiry panel established by the British Home Secretary, UK and Mr. Matthew John SANDS, Human Rights Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University, Britain and former Legal Advisor, Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Geneva, Switzerland.

The workshop will be conducted in English with simultaneous translation into Cantonese. This specialized training initiative will have a duration of five days with a course load of thirty hours. The following themes will be covered:

1. Policing and Human Rights – General Principles and Definitions;
2. International Standards (United Nations and Regional);
3. The Use of Force (including firearms);
4. Ethical Investigation;
5. Search and Seizure;
6. Detention Standards;
7. Police and Vulnerable Groups;
8. Human Rights in Police Command, Management and Organisation;
9. Accountability and Investigating Complaints.

The 3^rd Co-operation Programme in the Legal Field between the Macao Special Administrative Region and the European Union is going to take place until November 2019. The execution of the Co-operation Programme is coordinated by the Legal Affairs Bureau, together with many entities and public departments of the Macao Special Administrative Region, namely the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, the Institute of European Studies of Macau, the Economic Services, the Consumer Council and the Social Welfare Bureau.