UN experts fix dates for Italy, Turkey and Benin torture prevention visits

GENEVA (19 June 2015) – The UN’s torture prevention body has set dates to visit Italy,Turkey and Benin in the second half of 2015 to discuss protection against ill-treatment of detainees and the overall situation of people deprived of their liberty in these countries.  

The Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) will be in Italy from 16 to 22 September, in Turkey from 6 to 9 October and in Benin from 7 to 11 December. The SPT had already announced that it would be visiting the Netherlands from 28 to 31 July and Brazil from 19 to 30 October.  So far this year, members have visited Azerbaijan, Nauru, Guatemala and the Philippines.

The SPT’s role is to prevent and eliminate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment of detainees. It works with national governments that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT).  During a country mission, the SPT delegation visits places of deprivation of liberty, including prisons, police stations, migrant detention centres and psychiatric hospitals and also engages with National Preventive Mechanisms to assist them with their mandate. It also liaises closely with national independent monitoring bodies known as National Preventive Mechanisms.

ENDS

Background: The Optional Protocol on the Prevention of Torture has to date been ratified by 78 countries. At the end of a country visit, the SPT communicates its recommendations and observations to the State by means of a confidential report, and if necessary to NPMs.

However, State parties are encouraged to request that the SPT makes these reports public. The SPT also reserves the right to amend its plan of work should the circumstances so require, and will inform the State party or national preventive mechanism as soon as is practical.

Find out more about the Subcommittee and the Optional Protocol:http://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/spt
For media inquiries, please contact Liz Throssell, UN Human Rights Media Unit - +41 (0) 22 917 9466/ ethrossell@ohchr.org
For additional information, please contact Joao Nataf, SPT Secretary, Human Rights Treaty Division - +41 (0) 22 917 9102/ jnataf@ohchr.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitednationshumanrights
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
Google+ gplus.to/unitednationshumanrights  
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR
Storify:   https://storify.com/UNrightswire