Under the CAT, countries that are party to the treaty are required to take measures to prevent torture and other forms of mistreatment, and to provide remedies and compensation for victims. The treaty defines torture as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for a specific purpose, such as obtaining information or a confession.
One of the key provisions of the CAT is the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits countries from returning individuals to a country where they are at risk of being tortured or subjected to other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. This principle applies to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status or whether they have committed a crime.
Individuals who have been subjected to torture or other forms of mistreatment in their home country may be eligible for protection under the CAT if they can demonstrate a well-founded fear of being subjected to further torture or mistreatment if they are returned to their home country.
In the United States, individuals who fear persecution or torture in their home country can seek protection under the Convention Against Torture as a form of relief from removal or deportation. If the government determines that the individual would likely be subjected to torture if they were returned to their home country, the individual may be eligible for protection under the CAT and allowed to remain in the United States.