No Shortcuts Around Torture Ban As Governments Overhaul Removal Systems, UN Expert WarnsGENEVA (28 July 2026) – As governments move to accelerate removals, expand third-country return arrangements and reshape migration systems, a UN expert* today warned that no new policy or bilateral deal can override the absolute ban on returning a person to torture. The choice is not between effective transfers and human rights. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council (https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures-human-rights-council). Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/© Scoop Media