With 54 member States of the African Union, Africa is a large and diverse region with Central, North, West, East and Southern Africa sub-regions.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) plays a leading role in keeping human rights on the agenda, complemented by the African Court on Human Rights. The adoption of the Robben Island Guidelines on the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture in Africa (2002) has been a key milestone in the combat against torture.
The UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) is ratified by almost all States in the continent and there are 24 States parties to its Optional Protocol (OPCAT) and 8 have signed it. There are currently 14 operational National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs). The APT’s primary focus lies in supporting efforts towards NPM designation and effective functioning. We provide bilateral support to emerging NPMs, as well as supporting regional and peer-to-peer exchanges.
We also support other national actors, including National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society organisations, to advance on the implementation of torture preventive measures, including the criminalisation of torture, strengthening detention safeguards and implementation of the Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing.
Regional activities
We support the work of the ACHPR, particularly its Committee on the Prevention of Torture, which was a significant outcome of our joint work on the Robben Island Guidelines. Our current efforts focus on promoting awareness and implementation of the Méndez Principles across the continent and we welcome the adoption by the ACHPR of a resolution welcoming the Principles.
We work closely with the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), as well as the French-speaking network of NHRIs. We also welcome the recent establishment of a network of African NPMs and support its collective efforts.
We work closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to advocate for the ratification and implementation of the OPCAT across Africa.
Priority countries
We maintain an active involvement in three countries – Madagascar, Togo and South Africa – where we work on OPCAT implementation and other torture prevention priorities, such as upholding safeguards during first hours of detention and promoting awareness and implementation of the Méndez Principles. We also work with the NPMs in Rwanda and Morocco, as part of a global project to strengthen gender-sensitive criminal justice systems.
Madagascar
We have been supporting torture prevention efforts in Madagascar since the country's ratification of the UN Convention against Torture in 2005. We assisted in drafting the Anti-Torture Law in 2008 (Law 08/2008), as well as provided training on its implementation.
Since 2018, we have collaborated with the Ministry of Interior Security to strengthen procedural safeguards during the first hours of detention, including by establishing a standard register in police custody and a letter of rights. We maintain a close partnership with the Ministry of Justice, actively participating in the dissemination and implementation of the Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing.
In addition, following the ratification of the OPCAT in 2017, we have provided support to strengthen the capacity of Madagascar’s NHRI, designated as NPM in 2019, in its vital work of monitoring places of detention.
Morocco
The APT has been active in Morocco since 2006, advocating for OPCAT ratification and torture prevention. Our work has expanded to focus on OPCAT implementation and capacity building for the country’s NPM, hosted by Morocco's National Council for Human Rights (CNDH). We have organised regional meetings and seminars, and strengthened our partnership with the CNDH to now address risks faced by women in detention and enhance the NPM's gender-sensitive monitoring.
Morocco plays a pivotal role in torture prevention and gender-sensitive justice in the region. We support the creation of an African NPM network and its goal to foster regional cooperation for torture prevention.
Togo
The APT has been actively engaged in Togo since 2006, initially focusing on advocating for the ratification of the OPCAT and a more comprehensive approach to preventing torture. Following OPCAT ratification in 2010, and the enactment of legislation in 2018 designating the National Human Rights Commission as NPM, our efforts have focused on strengthening the capacity of the NPM staff and members.
Our work in Togo is also focused on building a gender-sensitive approach within criminal justice systems. This includes practical strategies to improve the treatment of women deprived of liberty and promoting gender-responsive alternatives to detention.
Rwanda
In Rwanda we have provided ongoing support for the establishment and strengthening of the NPM since the country's adoption of the OPCAT in 2015. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), we played a crucial role in the consensus-building process that led to the designation of the NPM in Rwanda.
We work closely with the NCHR to enhance the capacity and expertise of the NPM in undertaking its important functions. This includes comprehensive training sessions, strategic planning, and detention monitoring activities.
Our work in Rwanda also extends to critical areas such as safeguarding the rights of women deprived of liberty and ensuring effective safeguards during first hours of detention. In partnership with Legal Aid Forum, we have developed and distributed 'Know Your Rights' posters within detention facilities across the country that address key issues related to safeguards during the early stages of detention.
South Africa
The APT has been actively engaged in South Africa for over a decade, playing a pivotal role in supporting the country's journey towards OPCAT ratification. While South Africa signed the OPCAT in 2006, ratification was achieved in 2019. South Africa has since established a multi-body NPM, overseen by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), and including other key institutions such as the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). Our recent work has focused on capacity-building workshops for the South African NPM, with a particular focus on gender-sensitive monitoring.
We also work in close partnership with the SAHRC to strengthen the commitment across southern Africa towards OPCAT ratification and implementation. This includes facilitating the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices, particularly concerning women deprived of their liberty, within the Southern African region. One notable achievement was co-organising the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional workshop for National Human Rights Institutions to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Our collaborative efforts have extended to providing strategic guidance and counsel to various stakeholders on torture prevention, particularly concerning their engagement with international treaty bodies. This support was particularly important when South Africa was preparing for its first visit by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture in 2023.
