General Comment No. 2: Implementation of Article 2 by States Parties
Abstract
This general comment addresses the three parts of article 2, each of which identifies distinct
interrelated and essential principles that undergird the Convention’s absolute prohibition against
torture. Since the adoption of the Convention against Torture, the absolute and non-derogable
character of this prohibition has become accepted as a matter of customary international law. The
provisions of article 2 reinforce this peremptory jus cogens norm against torture and constitute the
foundation of the Committee’s authority to implement effective means of prevention, including but
not limited to those measures contained in the subsequent articles 3 to 16, in response to evolving
threats, issues, and practices.