[JURIST] The United Nations (UN) [official website] on Saturday reported [press release] that special rapporteurs Christof Heyns and Juan Mendez were blocked from completing a torture and killing investigation in Gambia. The investigation was lead by the two UN experts to assess the practice of the right to life laws of Gambia and to identify examples of cruel and unusual punishment by authorities. The Gambian government welcomed the investigation by inviting Heyns and Mendez to visit in November. However, upon arrival the two experts were denied access into certain prison areas allegedly linked to torture practices. Heyns stated in regards to being denied access to the certain prisons areas, “[d]ue to denial of access to the Security Wing of Mile 2 prison to visit those sentenced to lengthy sentences, including the death penalty, an inference must be drawn that there is something important to hide.” While their investigation was suspended, both the two experts released a report [text] of their findings with hope that they can continue their efforts and bring justice to any human rights violations by the Gambian government.

Torture remains a human rights issue worldwide despite a call from UN [JURIST report] officials in June to end torture in celebration of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Earlier this month the Supreme Court of Canada ruled [JURIST report] that citizens cannot sue foreign governments for torture as a result of the country’s State Immunity Act, which gives foreign states immunity from the jurisdiction of any Canadian court. Also this month the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] warned [JURIST report] that, despite the fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, abuses such as abductions, torture and ill-treatment still affect local civilians daily. In September Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] released a report condemning [JURIST report] Nigeria’s police and military for their systematic and routine use of torture on detainees. AI also launched [JURIST report] a world-wide anti-torture campaign in May.