International
EBM representatives visit UN Committee for the Prevention of Torture
On 18 April 2024, the UN Committee for the Prevention of Torture completed its examination of Austria's seventh periodic report.
To this end, an Austrian delegation consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAK), the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of European and International Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations Office at Geneva was received as part of the periodic review on the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
In dialogue with Austria, experts from the UN Committee for the Prevention of Torture welcomed the establishment of the Investigation and Complaints Office Allegations of Mistreatment (Ermittlungs- und Beschwerdestelle Misshandlungsvorwürfe or EBM).
Christoph Wieland, Deputy Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, emphasised at the presentation of the report that the establishment of the new Investigation and Complaints Office Allegations of Mistreatment (EBM) will contribute to greater transparency and accountability of the Austrian police.
Following the meeting, the committee will draw up concluding observations that Austria can implement within a year.
The head of the delegation emphasised how important the regular review process is for the country. Protection against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment is strong in Austria and great progress has been made in implementing the Convention.
Through human rights training for law enforcement, judicial and prison staff, the employees of the Ministry of the Interior are continuously sensitised to all forms of discrimination, in particular racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1984 (Resolution A/RES/39/46) and came into force under international law on 16 June 1987.
The prohibition of torture is one of the few human rights norms that claim to be legally binding without exception and also apply in emergency situations. Each state party to the Convention undertakes to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent torture and inhuman treatment. The extradition or deportation of persons to states in which they are at risk of torture is prohibited under Article 3.
The Optional Protocol to the Convention (OPCAT) entered into force under international law on 22 June 2006. It obliges the signatory states to establish independent international and national visiting mechanisms to prevent torture "in places where persons are deprived of their liberty". A Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) was formed at UN level for this purpose.
Further information on the presentation of the report and the questions posed by the committee experts as well as the delegation's responses can be found at