MAG envisions a society where fundamental human rights are upheld and protected at all times in accordance with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
A Filipino doctor is among the 12 new members of a committee in the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland, a local group disclosed on Friday. Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez, founder of Medical Action Group (MAG), was elected as a member of UN Anti-Torture Committee’s Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT). In a statement, MAG congratulated Lopez for bringing Pinoy honor, by serving as one of the experts who will monitor detention conditions in more than 60 countries around the world until 2016. "This will considerably strengthen the mandate of the SPT in torture prevention particularly in the field of mental health rehabilitation of torture survivors and their families," the group said.
Posted at 10/26/2012 4:39 PM | Updated as of 10/26/2012 11:38 PM
MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino doctor was elected to serve as one of the 12 new members of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) for a term of four years.
Dr. June Pagaduan-Lopez was elected Thursday at the United Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland.
As member of the UN subcommittee, she will serve as expert in monitoring detention conditions in more than 60 countries worldwide.
“This will considerably strengthen the mandate of the SPT in torture prevention particularly in the field of mental health rehabilitation of torture survivors and their families,” Dr. Pagaduan-Lopez said.
Dr. Pagaduan-Lopez is a professor at the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines in Manila.
The Medical Action Group (MAG), whose founders include Dr. Pagaduan-Lopez, vouched for the Pinay doctor.
On 25 October 2012, States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture will elect the 12 new members of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT).
The IRCT is delighted to note that four of the candidates have a long standing working relationship with the IRCT and extensive experience with torture prevention, rehabilitation and fighting impunity.
The Candidates are Christian Pross, Suzanne Jabbour, June Lopez and Victor Madrigal-Borloz.
The IRCT has worked closely with all four candidates over many years and we are well aware of their capabilities and outstanding commitment to the prevention of torture. We therefore take this opportunity to warmly endorse their candidature.
Below, you will find a short introduction to each of the candidates.
The Alternative Report jointly prepared and submitted by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the Medical Action Group (MAG) and the Balay Rehabilitation Center to the UN Human Rights Committee, 106th Session (October 15-November 2, 2012) for the Philippines Fourth Periodic Report on the CCPR.
