Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention Against Torture) Act, 2000

Interpretation.

1.—(1) In this Act—

“the Act of 1965” means the Extradition Act, 1965;

“the Act of 1973” means the Genocide Act, 1973 ;

“the Act of 1987” means the Extradition (European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1987 ;

“the Convention” means the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment adopted by resolution 39/46 of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1984, the text of which, in the English language, is, for convenience of reference, set out in the Schedule to this Act;

“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform;

“the offence of torture” shall be construed in accordance with section 2 of this Act;

“public official” includes a person acting in an official capacity;

“torture” means an act or omission by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person—

(a) for such purposes as—

(i) obtaining from that person, or from another person, information or a confession,

(ii) punishing that person for an act which the person concerned or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or

(iii) intimidating or coercing that person or a third person,

or

(b) for any reason that is based on any form of discrimination,

but does not include any such act that arises solely from, or is inherent in or incidental to, lawful sanctions.

(2) Any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended by or under any other enactment including this Act.