2012:07 CRIMINALIZE TORTURE BY NON-STATE ACTORS
Whereas 1 Canada is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5 of which says No one shall be subjected to Torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and
Whereas 2 torture is the act of inflicting severe pain (whether physical or psychological) as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty; and
Whereas 3 the Criminal Code of Canada states 269.1 Torture (1) Every official, or every person acting at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of an official, who inflicts torture on any other person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years; and
Whereas 4 legislation is required in order to include in the provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada acts of torture by private individuals and organizations, non-state actors; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy that Torture by Non-State Actors be deemed a criminal offence; and be it further
Resolved 2 that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to develop legislation to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to make Torture by Non-State Actors a specific criminal offence; and be it further
Resolved 3 that the National Council of Women of Canada recommend that Provincial Councils urge Provincial Governments and territorial governments to support legislation that would Criminalize Torture by Non-State Actors; and be it further
Resolved 4 that the National Council of Women of Canada recommend that Local Councils urge Municipal Governments to support legislation that would Criminalize Torture by Non-State Actors; and be it further
Resolved 5 that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the International Council of Women to take similar action at the international level.