Date: 14 September 2007
Place: Vienna, Austria (Festsaal of the Justizpalast)Partners: Human Rights Advisory Board
Purpose: To examine the implementation of the OPCAT in Austria
Activities: On 14 September the Austrian Human Rights Advisory Board or 'Menschenrechtsbeirat' hosted a national round-table on the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism in Austria. Professor Zbigniew Lasocik of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention delivered the keynote address at the event, outlining the work of this important international visiting body.
In addition, representatives from the Human Rights Advisory Board, Amnesty International Austria and the University of Vienna spoke at the meeting, examining possible NPM models for Austria and lessons drawn from the work of an existing inspection mechanism, Human Rights Advisory Board. The APT Europe & Central Asia Programme Officer also attended.
Outcome: The event was designed to raise awareness about the implementation of the OPCAT in the country. Although Austria signed the instrument in September 2003, progress has been slower than expected. It is therefore hoped that this round-table discussion may have had the effect of expediting this ongoing process.
Documents: Agenda
Contact Person: Matthew Pringle, APT Europe & Central Asia Programme Officer
