SRI submission to the Special Rapporteur on torture: Domestic violence as torture

In response to the Special Rapporteur’s call for input on the topic, SRI made a submission calling for domestic violence to continue being recognized as a form of gender-based violence that amounts to torture and/or degrading treatment. The submission outlines relevant human rights standards and challenges the public/private dichotomy that has historically underscored international human rights law. 

The submission examines domestic violence as rooted in patriarchal power structures, and looks at families as sites of violence. Finally, it calls for State obligations regarding gender-based violence to go beyond individualistic perspectives and criminal responses, and to include institutional responses and due diligence.

The Special Rapporteur’s report Domestic violence and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment was presented to the General Assembly in 2019 and is available at this page.