UN Commission on Human Rights Appoints New Special Rapporteur on Torture

December 6, 2004

According to an official press release, Austrian lawyer Manfred Nowak will be the new UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, effective December 1. Mr. Nowak will replace Theo van Boven, who had long negotiated with the Chinese government for permission to make an investigative visit to China. In March 2004, the Chinese government agreed to a visit by van Boven, but later postponed the visit with a pledge to reschedule it before the end of 2004.