V. ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE UNDER
ARTICLE 20 OF THE CONVENTION
A. General information
59. In accordance with article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention, if the Committee receives
reliable information which appears to contain well-founded indications that torture is being
systematically practised in the territory of a State party, the Committee shall invite that State
party to cooperate in the examination of the information and, to this end, to submit observations
with regard to the information concerned.
60. In accordance with rule 69 of the Committee’s rules of procedure, the Secretary-General
shall bring to the attention of the Committee information which is, or appears to be, submitted
for the Committee’s consideration under article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
61. No information shall be received by the Committee if it concerns a State party which, in
accordance with article 28, paragraph 1, of the Convention, declared at the time of ratification of
or accession to the Convention that it did not recognize the competence of the Committee
provided for in article 20, unless that State party has subsequently withdrawn its reservation in
accordance with article 28, paragraph 2, of the Convention.
62. The Committee’s work under article 20 of the Convention continued during the period
under review. In accordance with the provisions of article 20 and rules 72 and 73 of the rules of
procedure, all documents and proceedings of the Committee relating to its functions under
article 20 of the Convention are confidential and all the meetings concerning its proceedings
under that article are closed. However, in accordance with article 20, paragraph 5, of the
Convention, the Committee may, after consultations with the State party concerned, decide to
include a summary account of the results of the proceedings in its annual report to the States
parties and to the General Assembly. Such summary account is herewith provided in connection
with Brazil.
63. In the framework of its follow-up activities, the Rapporteur on article 20, continued to
carry out activities aimed at encouraging States parties on which enquiries had been conducted
and the results of such enquiries had been published, to take measures to implement the
Committee’s recommendations.
B. Summary account of the result of the proceedings
concerning the inquiry on Brazil
64. Brazil ratified the Convention on 28 September 1989. At the time of ratification it did not
declare that it did not recognize the competence of the Committee provided for in article 20 of
the Convention, as it could have done under article 28 of the Convention. Accordingly, the
procedure under article 20 is applicable to Brazil.
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