Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of India encouraging it to (1) ratify the UN Convention against Torture and its optional protocols; and (2) permit a visit to India, including Jammu and Kashmir, by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
The UK engages on human rights matters with India, both bilaterally and through the EU-India Human Rights dialogue. We continue to call on the Indian government to expedite the ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol, and adopt robust domestic legislation to this effect. The UK made a specific recommendation on this issue during India’s Universal Periodic Review in May 2012. The EU Delegation in Delhi has also hosted a number of events on the importance of ratifying the Convention.