UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution against Torture
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 1 Dec 2025
René Wadlow – TRANSCEND Media Service
On 20 November 2025, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt a strong resolution confirming the prohibition of torture. The resolution reiterates that “no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” and affirms that this prohibition is a non-derogable right under international law, even during armed conflict or states of emergency.
It was widely felt among members of the U.N. Secretariat dealing with human rights that a comprehensive General Assembly resolution was needed as there were increasing reports of torture used against persons arrested and prisoners of war in many parts of the world.
Three member states voted against the resolution: the U.S.A. Israel, and Argentina. Four member states abstained: the Russian Federation, Nicaragua, Burundi, and Papua New Guinea.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have an important role to see that the General Assembly Resolution is known and upheld. In this period of violence and tensions in the world, there is much to be done. Cooperation among NGOs is important. Violations must be highlighted when known for sure.
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René Wadlow is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment. He is President of the Association of World Citizens, an international peace organization with consultative status with ECOSOC, the United Nations organ facilitating international cooperation and problem-solving in economic and social issues, and editor of Transnational Perspectives.
Tags: Torture, UNGA
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 1 Dec 2025.
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