un special rapporteur

Dr. Alice Jill Edwards spends many of her days listening to the testimonies of torture victims. Now the UN’s Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, she works towards a world in which torture is finally a thing of the past.

“I do remember the faces of most of the people I've met, and in fact, they keep me going in this work. And at the same time, of course, their stories haunt me.”

The United Nations Convention on Torture bans all forms of torture and other inhuman treatment, and yet these malpractices are on the rise worldwide in a mounting number of conflicts. In this episode, Dr. Alice Jill Edwards reflects on the challenge of holding states to their commitments, the visible and invisible scars torture leaves behind, and on the need to recharge without guilt.

Growing up at a time of war in Bangladesh, Irene Khan learned first-hand how access to trustworthy information can save lives. Now UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, she advocates for reliable information for all, especially during conflict.  

“Access to information from outside the conflict from a source that we felt was verifiable and trustworthy, was so important for us as a family to know whether we flee, whether we stay, should we go east or west. That's why I call it a survivor right.”

Social media has connected, informed, and empowered our world like never before. Yet malicious lies and hate speech spread online are causing real harm to our societies. In this episode, Irene Khan reflects on curbing harm while preserving vital freedoms, on the responsibilities of states and platforms, and reveals how she lets off steam in the kitchen.

CGHR Research Associate Dr Thomas Probert describes the work of the Centre under the theme The Right to Life, at an event held in May 2015 to celebrate CGHR's first five years.

On 19th June 2014, CGHR published and launched the outcome of its most recent collaboration with the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: a study of the incidence of violations of the right to life across the African continent. This study, Unlawful Killings in Africa is the product of a year-long collaboration between CGHR Research Associate Dr Thomas Probert and the Special Rapporteur.

On 19th June 2014, CGHR published and launched the outcome of its most recent collaboration with the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: a study of the incidence of violations of the right to life across the African continent. This study, Unlawful Killings in Africa is the product of a year-long collaboration between CGHR Research Associate Dr Thomas Probert and the Special Rapporteur.

Professor Christof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, delivers a public lecture at the University of Cambridge on the challenges for the laws and ethics of armed conflict posed by the development of Autonomous Weapons Systems.

Professor Christof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, delivers a public lecture at the University of Cambridge on the challenges for the laws and ethics of armed conflict posed by the development of Autonomous Weapons Systems.