• The U.S. broke silence on the document on Friday over concerns about the climate.

LINES ON CLIMATE IN THE DECLARATION INCLUDE

• “We need to adapt to the circumstances and take transformative measures.
• We have a historic opportunity to build back better and greener.
• We need to immediately curb greenhouse gas emissions and achieve sustainable consumption and production patterns in line with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda.

This highlights the need for police reforms and the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT).

• The committee, which is chaired by former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, said the alleged custodial killings of P. Jayaraj and his son J. Benicks in Thoothukudi underlined the urgent need for a strong law in fulfilment of legal obligations.
• The two were arrested for allegedly keeping their shops open past the permitted hours during the COVID-19 lockdown.

United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

PARTIES MUST COMMIT TO

•  Recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
• Recognizing that those rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person.
• Promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

NEED TO RATIFY UNCAT

• India remained among a handful of countries yet to ratify the UNCAT.
• The National Human Rights Commission had said custodial violence and torture were “rampant” in the country.
• “Given the reality and the circumstances of the recent deaths, we urge the government of India to bring a draft law on torture before Parliament as a top priority and announce its commitment to the UNCAT.”-National Campaign Against Torture’s
• “India has since pledged several times to ratify it, including as recently as 2018.