UN torture prevention body to visit Uruguay

GENEVA (2 March 2018) – The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is due to make its first visit to Uruguay from 4 to 15 March to assess the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty and the measures taken for their protection against torture and ill-treatment. The SPT will also meet with the country’s detention monitoring body, also known as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), which has been operating since 2013.
 
Among the places the SPT delegation is due to visit are prisons, police stations, psychiatric institutions, and correctional centers for women and juveniles. The delegation will meet State officials, and United Nations and civil society representatives. They will also hold discussions with the NPM to evaluate their situation and working methods.
 
“People who are deprived of liberty are particularly exposed to ill-treatment. Our aim is to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect and are free from any violence. During our visit we will assess the current situation in the country, advise the authorities on the practical steps to prevent torture and ill-treatment and discuss the functioning of the NPM,” said Felipe Villavicencio Terreros, who will head the SPT delegation.
 
At the end of the visit, the delegation will present its confidential preliminary observations to the Government as well as to the NPM.
 
The SPT delegation will comprise the following members: Felipe Villavicencio Terreros (Head of Delegation; Peru), Nora Sveaass (Norway) and Emilio Ginés Santidrián (Spain).
 
ENDS
 
For media inquiries or for more information about the visit, please contact:

In Uruguay: Gianna Sanchez Moretti, +41 (0) 79 444 5172 / gmoretti@ohchr.org 
In Geneva: Julia Gronnevet, +41 (0) 22 917 9310 / jgronnevet@ohchr.org 
 
Background:
 
The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment has, to date, been ratified by 87 countries. The SPT communicates its recommendations and observations to States by means of a confidential report and, if necessary, to National Preventive Mechanisms. However, States 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. For more information on the mandate of Subcommittee, please visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/OPCAT/Pages/OPCATIndex.aspx 

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