Dean Claudio Grossman Reelected to Additional Four Year Term with UN CAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC, October 28, 2011 - On Tuesday, Oct. 18, American University Washington College of Law's Dean Claudio Grossman was reelected to an additional four year term with the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UN CAT). Elections were held in Geneva to elect five members to the Committee, and votes were cast by 131 States. Dean Claudio Grossman, who currently chairs the Committee, was reelected by the highest majority (111 of 131) of all candidates. Other candidates elected as members of the Committee are: Mr. Satyabhooshun Gupt Domah from Mauritius (105 votes), Mr. George Tugushi from Georgia (97), Ms. Felice Gaer from the U.S. (82), and Mr. Abdoulaye Gaye from Senegal (72).

Grossman has been one of the most proactive members of UN CAT since 2003, participating in fact-finding missions and decisions involving the duty to investigate violations of the Convention, reparations, extraordinary renditions, the principle of non-refoulement, as well as visits in loco, and serving as rapporteur for numerous countries, consistently stressing the absolute nature of the prohibition against torture. Grossman has held the position of chair of UN CAT since 2008 and became the first chair to present to the UN General Assembly in 2009.

Dean Grossman will travel to Geneva this week to chair the 47th session of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UN CAT), and also serve as rapporteur for Germany and co-rapporteur for Djibouti and Morocco.

# # #

American University Washington College of Law

In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.