What does withholding under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) prevent?

Withholding under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) specifically aims to prevent the removal of individuals to a country where they are likely to face torture. This means that if there is substantial evidence or a well-founded fear that an individual would be subjected to torture upon return to their home country or any other country, the authorities cannot forcibly remove or deport them. This principle acknowledges the obligation of countries to protect individuals from the severe human rights violation of torture, ensuring that aspects of a person's safety and rights are prioritized.

The focus of CAT is fundamentally on preventing torture rather than addressing issues like unlawful detentions, discrimination, or forced labor practices. While those topics are significant human rights concerns, they are beyond the specific stipulations of CAT and fall under different human rights treaties or legal protections established by various international laws.