Working Worldwide to Prevent Torture

The APT is the international non-governmental organisation, based in Geneva, behind the ground-breaking Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT).

The APT is convinced that the risk of torture and other ill-treatment exists everywhere in the world. The challenge and mission of the APT is how to prevent it.

For 30 years the APT has been a leading force in prevention by promoting three integrated elements of:

Transparency of detention institutions through regular visits by independent experts;

Capacity strengthening to reform practices of detention;

Effective legal frameworks.

Home
First Thematic Workshop: 'The role of NPMs in preventing ill-treatment in psychiatric institutions'
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
The University of Padua is set to co-host the first of six thematic workshops for NPMs in the Council of Europe region, which will take place in the period 2010-2011. Around 20 NPMs are expected to attend the event, which will focus on the role of NPMs in preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment in psychiatric institutions and social care homes.
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Exchange with the Swiss National Commission for the Prevention of Torture
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Fribourg, March 2010The newly created Swiss National Commission for the Prevention of Torture invited the APT to organise a one day exchange to analyse together the establishment of the mechanism and the preventive detention monitoring methodology. During the morning session the members analysed and discussed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the Commission in view of starting to define together a clear vision and mission. The afternoon session was dedicated to examining and discussing the different stages of a preventive detention methodology. This one day exchange fostered a timely discussion amongst all the members of the Commission on the actual functioning of the NPM in practice.
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Detention Monitoring for Local Authorities of Brazil
Tuesday, 09 March 2010
The Government of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – where torture and ill-treatment is commonplace – has committed to signing the National Plan to Combat and Prevent Torture. In this context, the National and Local Human Rights Secretariats joined forces with the APT to train local authorities responsible for implementing the Plan in different municipalities of this Brazilian state. The workshop, which took place in Rio de Janeiro from 1 to 4 March 2010, aimed to strengthen skills for monitoring places of detention. This was the 6th in a series of detention monitoring workshops organized by the APT in different states of Brazil. The APT also attended a parallel meeting with local civil society organisations, convened jointly by the Rio Parliamentarian, Marcelo Freixo, and long-time partners Centre for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) and the Group 'Torture Never Again' (GTNM-RJ). The initiative is financed by the European Commission.
 
The Establishment of Kazakhstan's National Preventive Mechanism
Tuesday, 02 March 2010
The ongoing discussion on the establishment of Kazakhstan's NPM continued in the context of a two-day international conference devoted to the subject in Astana. Various organizations, including Penal Reform International's Office for Central Asia, co-sponsored this exchange in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on 15-16 February 2010, which was attended by more than 100 persons. For the very first time in Kazakhstan this type of event was attended by members of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention, Dr Marija Definis-Gojanovic and Dr Zdenek Hajek.
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Annual Report 2009

APT Annual Report 2009

English   Français

 LEGAL BRIEFING SERIES

 

Legal Briefing Series
The first in a new series of APT Legal Briefings is now available:

 

إصدارات باللغة العربية

Special Rapporteur

The Coalition of International NGOs Against Torture (CINAT) has developed a checklist of suggested criteria to be considered in selecting the next UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. Special Rapporteur Nowak's term expires in November 2010, and careful consideration is required to maintain the high quality of appointments to this important position.
View the CINAT Checklist. 

Torture Laws Compilation

Compilation of Torture Laws

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The APT's new research tool, the Compilation of Torture Laws, is now accessible at www.apt.ch/laws

Focusing on issues related to the criminalisation of torture, this tool compiles national laws of State Parties to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

Quick Links

Monthly OPCAT Briefing

OPCAT Country Status  (Info)

OPCAT Ratification Status

National Preventive Mechanisms

Payments to APT