UN torture prevention experts to make first visit to Mozambique 5-9 September

GENEVA (2 September 2016) – Mozambique’s efforts to monitor places of detention and prevent the torture and ill-treatment of people deprived of their liberty will be the focus of the first visit to the country by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT).

During their 5 to 9 September visit, the three-member SPT delegation will meet government officials, members of parliament and the judiciary. They are also due to meet representatives of non-governmental and international organisations.

The main focus of the SPT’s visit will be to discuss ways of strengthening the operation of the National Human Rights Commission of Mozambique, which the Government designated as what is known as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), an independent body charged with monitoring places of detention. To this end, the SPT will have working meetings with the Commission.

“Having such a body able to carry out such work is a fundamental element in the prevention of torture and ill-treatment,” said delegation head Victor Madrigal-Borloz.

Following its visit, the SPT will send its recommendations concerning the strengthening of the NPM to the Government of Mozambique in a confidential report, which the authorities may decide to make public.

The SPT has a mandate to visit all States that have ratified the Optional Protocol (OPCAT), which Mozambique did in 2014.

The delegation will comprise: Víctor Madrigal-Borloz (Costa Rica), Aneta Stanchevska (The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia); and  Nora Sveaass (Norway).

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
In Mozambique from 5 - 9 September: Joao Nataf + 41 79 109 6870/ jnataf@ohchr.org
In Geneva:  Ravina Shamdasani  +41 (0) 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org or
Cécile Pouilly, Media Officer: + 41 22 917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org

Background:

The Optional Protocol on the Prevention of Torture has to date been ratified by 81 countries. The SPT communicates its recommendations and observations to the State by means of a confidential report, and if necessary to National Preventive Mechanisms. However, State parties are encouraged to request that the SPT makes these reports public.

The SPT is composed of 25 independent and impartial experts from different regions of the world. More about the SPT: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/OPCAT/Pages/OPCATIndex.aspx

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