CAT/C/48/3 3. The right to development and the prevention of torture 59. The United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted by the General Assembly 25 years ago on 4 December 1986, provides that the right to development:5 [i]s an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. 60. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the right to development. The right is recognized in a number of international instruments, including the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It is necessarily wide in scope and includes the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. 61. In its preamble, the Declaration is mindful of the Charter purpose and principles that ―promot[e] and encourag[e] respect for human rights … without distinction …‖. 6. It is axiomatic that respect for human rights cannot be promoted or encouraged in a situation where torture or other ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty is practised or condoned. 62. The work of the Subcommittee in the prevention of torture forms part of an integrated and balanced interpretation of the right to development. It also plays a pivotal role in helping to raise awareness. It is well established that development is not confined ―to purely economic aspirations or goals but articulates a broad, comprehensive understanding … at national and international levels.‖7 Democracy, development and human rights are therefore interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The Subcommittee actively engages with the multi-faceted nature of development and human rights in its preventive work with States parties and their NPMs under the Optional Protocol. In fulfilling its mandate, the Subcommittee is guided by the United Nations Charter and its principles, the norms of the United Nations concerning persons deprived of their liberty, and the principles laid out in the Optional Protocol. It not only works effectively with State authorities but also undertakes research on a range of significant detention issues. 63. The efforts of NPMs and the Subcommittee, through the established national and international system of regular visits by both to places of detention, are effectively contributing to the goals of prevention and development through capacity-building, training and education, as well as legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures. Together they support durable systems based on transparency, accountability and the rule of law. V. Substantive issues 64. In this chapter the Subcommittee wishes to set out its current thinking on a number of issues of significance to its mandate. 5 6 7 United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development (A/Res/41/128), art. 1. Ibid., preambular para. 1. Joint Statement of Chairpersons of the UN Treaty Bodies, 1 July 2011. 15