UN Committee against Torture, General Comment No. 2: Implementation of Article 2 by States Parties, CAT/C/GC/2

General Comment No. 2 of the UN Committee against Torture recognizes that the principle of non-discrimination is a basic and general principle in the protection of human rights and fundamental to the interpretation of the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Convention explicitly prohibits specified acts when carried out for "any reason based on discrimination of any kind." The protection of certain minorities or marginalized individuals or populations especially at risk of torture is a part of the obligation to prevent torture or ill-treatment. States parties must ensure that, insofar as the obligations arising under the Convention are concerned, their laws are in practice applied to all persons, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, age, religious belief or affiliation, political or other opinion, national or social origin, gender, sexual orientation, transgender identity, mental or other disability, health status, economic or indigenous status, reason for which the person is detained, including persons accused of political offenses or terrorist acts, asylum-seekers, refugees or others under international protection, or any other status or adverse distinction. The Committee emphasizes that gender is a key factor. Being female intersects with other identifying characteristics or status of the person such as race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, immigrant status, among others to determine the ways that women and girls are subject to or at risk of torture or ill-treatment and the consequences thereof.