strategy and in particular Point 17.18 Another challenge consists of developing a more effective and integrated approach to torture prevention. We consider that there are a number of avenues which may help achieve these objectives: i) intensifying our diplomacy efforts by raising the issues more consistently with third countries in our political and human rights dialogues; ii) strengthening the cooperation with the UN and regional mechanisms; and iii) ensuring coherence between our internal and external policy. This last point is particularly relevant with respect to the ratification of international treaties. It is very important that when soliciting third countries’ ratifications, the EU can show a good record in terms of its own Member States’ ratification and compliance with these instruments. in our activities, promote the ratification and implementation of the UN instruments. The second kind of tool consists, as I mentioned before, in the financial assistance the EU provides to NGOs that work on action against torture. Action against torture is one of our main priorities for funding under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).17 In the period 2009-2015, the European Union provided 38 million euros to support projects by NGOs in this field. And in 2012, for example, we launched another project, a cooperative proposal specifically geared toward fighting impunity with respect to torture. So we are really trying through our financial assistance to cooperate with NGOs and we recognize the role of civil society to achieve these objectives. I hope these few remarks provided you with an overview of our action in the area of the prevention and eradication of torture. Thank you very much for your attention. Finally, as everyone, we do also have challenges, and one of the challenges is to implement as effectively as we can this Remarks of Gerald Staberock* and reparation. It is central to any strategy to seek justice and reparation and to advance the protection against torture globally. Indeed, there could be few places more appropriate for this meeting than the American University Washington College of Law. This university not only hosts a well-known human rights program that many in the human rights community have benefitted from, but it also hosts at this moment in time both the Chair of the United Nations Committee against Torture, Dean Claudio Grossman, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Méndez. This is indeed truly unprecedented and there can thus be few more appropriate places for a forward-looking debate on the remedy to the Committee against Torture. Let me also very warmly thank the European Union and the Oak Foundation, without whose support we would not have been able to gather some of the leading anti-torture litigators from various parts of the world. This should remind us all that in many countries it takes a great deal of courage to document and litigate torture cases. Having you with us today and being able to benefit from your perspective is the real added value of this meeting. L et me warmly welcome you on behalf of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) to this joint conference hosted by the American University Washington College of Law. The objective of this meeting is to explore strategies for an effective use of the universal complaint mechanisms to the UN Committee against Torture (CAT). Central Role of the Universal Complaint Mechanism The OMCT, as the principal civil society network against torture, is working with partner organizations and lawyers around the world. To our partners, as for us, the issue of our discussion today is far from academic. It is all too real and concrete. The remedy through the UN Committee against Torture can protect the physical integrity of individuals and it can determine whether a victim of torture is able to enjoy his or her right to remedy The absolute prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is one of the most protected international legal norms, e.g. a norm of jus cogens. Unfortunately it is also one of the most violated norms of such status. More often than not, states content themselves with a legal prohibition that remains unenforced. Sadly, too, this applies to all regions of the world. * Gerald Staberock is the Secretary-General of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). 4