Strategic Plan

Independent research shows what steps can be taken, when and by whom, to counter the risks and root causes of torture and ill-treatment.

This evidence informs our Strategic Plan. It is our roadmap for torture prevention.

We intervene where we can make the greatest difference, focusing on:

• Reforming criminal justice systems, by promoting safeguards and moving away from coercive interrogation to reduce the risks of torture during the first hours of detention
• Strengthening independent oversight, to build more effective monitoring mechanisms and increase transparency in places of detention 
• Protecting persons in situations of vulnerability who face greater risks of torture and ill-treatment when deprived of liberty
• Mobilising advocates and arguments for torture prevention to shift community attitudes.

Preventing torture requires many people, working together, to bring about change. That’s why our approach is centred on partnerships and collaboration.

We support governments, parliaments, law enforcement, judges and prosecutors, national preventive mechanisms and oversight bodies, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations and others in their efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the work of the APT, as it did for many organisations. In response, the APT Board decided in late 2022 to extend our strategic plan by a year to the end of 2024.

Our values & principles

Commitment: We know that preventing torture is essential to protecting human dignity, as well as for building good governance and peaceful and inclusive societies.

Inclusion & equality: We place non-discrimination at the centre of our mission and promote diversity and inclusion in our work.

Integrity and transparency: We work impartially and independent of political, economic, or sectarian interests.We are open and accountable to our partners, supporters and beneficiaries for what we do and how we do it.

Partnerships: We strategically engage, ally and collaborate with a plurality of actors to develop sustainable prevention strategies. We call on duty bearers to meet their responsibilities and empower rights-holders to assert their rights. We strengthen the capacity of both, careful to avoid dependence on our advice and support.

Quality and perseverance: We strive for excellence in seeking solutions to prevent torture and ill-treat and in demonstrating the added value of torture prevention. We recognise this work requires long-term vision and we focus our efforts accordingly.

Continuous learning and creativity: We share skills, knowledge, experiences and perspectives across all areas of our work. We learn from our partners and encourage innovation and new thinking. We continually explore different ways to measure the impact of our work and use these lessons to build new actions.