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There can be little doubt that, after Al's initiative in 1973, its continuing efforts have played a role in these developments. After having prepared a new draft for a UN General Assembly Resolution in May 1974, which already con- tained some of the main features of the eventual Resolution 3218, approaches were made to a large number of governments to propose or sponsor this proposal. An AI submission to the sub-commission's August 1974 session stressed the need for more effective action and machinery to combat torture on the inter-govern- mental level. The submission made various suggestions towards that end.
Al's preparation during 1974-75 for the Toronto congress and for the sub- sequent General Assembly session was extensive, and it will send its own rep- resentatives to Toronto. In addition, AI will hold two seminars during the first week of the congress. These will focus on various aspects of the problem of torture and on the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and their implementation.
Hopes for a fresh, positive impact are based in the first place on Al's official submission to the congress. This 16-page document, presented also in French and Spanish, contains a series of eight proposals categorized under two main headings: matters arising out of Resolution 3218, and strengthening of the Standard Minimum Rules. Those of the first category deal particularly with the problem of torture. They include a proposal that the congress recommend to the General Assembly that it declare torture to be a crime under international law, and that it authorize an appropriate body to create a draft convention on the supression of torture and the protection of all prisoners. Other proposals present minimum requirements for international codes of ethics for police and for medical personnel.
The congress is also asked to stipulate that the Standard Minimum Rules apply to all detainees, whether or not they have yet been charged with an offence, thus bringing prisoners from their first moment of detention and throughout all interrogation under the protection of the rules. AI national sections and CAT coordinators were asked to seek support for these proposals from their countries' governmental delegates to the congress and from individual expert participants. From the International Secretariat the AI proposals were sent directly to a large number of governments and their UN representatives, requesting further support.
In an additional effort to strengthen the AI proposals to the congress, AI convened a seminar of senior police officers and representatives of police unions from most Western European countries to discuss the development of an inter- national code of police ethics. This seminar, which took place in June 1975 in The Hague, was organized in conjunction with the AI Dutch section and with the financial support of the Dutch government and police unions. The AI police seminar provided fresh input into the ongoing discussions on a European code of police ethics within the framework of the Council of Europe, in which AI has taken an active role. The discussions were initiated by the Council's Consultative Assembly in 1974.
In another Council of Europe development, a motion by a number of European parliamentarians in September 1974 expressed their deep concern about the worldwide practice of torture, making specific mention of Al's work against torture and recommending certain safeguards in connection with extra-
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