The Open Society Institute hosts a discussion with Manfred Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Nowak’s mandate has covered a broad range of human rights concerns, from Guantanamo and rendition to the institutionalization of people with disabilities.

In his five and a half years as Special Rapporteur, Nowak has issued reports on 17 countries, including China, Jamaica, Equatorial Guinea and Kazakhstan. Such reports have detailed not only the use of torture but also the often horrific conditions found in prisons and detention facilities in these countries.  Nowak's discussion of his work will be followed by a question and answer period.