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Saturday, November 19, 2011
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APT Global Forum on the OPCAT 300 representatives from over 90 countries have gathered in Geneva, for the first Global Forum on the prevention of torture. Five years after the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the use of security concerns to justify torture, including by the most democratic countries, has been at the centre of concerns. This first networking event has allowed protagonists to share good practices and identify ways forward: to continue the campaign of OPCAT ratification as well as ensure implementation on the ground by increasing the effectiveness of national monitoring bodies, and to include new actors in the process.  Press Release: Deutsch - English - Français
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Bangkok Rules: Women in detention have rights too On 21 December 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted by consensus the "Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders", commonly known as the "Bangkok Rules", as the experts’ meeting that led to their drafting took place in the capital of Thailand. The Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) welcomes this new development of specific standards for vulnerable groups in detention.
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Promoting the National System of Prevention in Argentina The APT visited Argentina, from 12-19 October, to carry out a training on monitoring places of deprivation of liberty and to promote the establishment of the National System for Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading, whose bill of law is pending in the Senate,and to support the creation of a local mechanism of prevention in the province of Cordoba.
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New ICRC policy on torture Last June the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) took a clear stand in its global action against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by issuing a policy on the matter. Stemming from the protection of and assistance to the victims – the ICRC primary concern - this policy seeks to reaffirm ICRC conviction that such practices are absolutely unacceptable and to implement an institutional strategy with global reach.
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Featured

  • Lebanese parliament to consider establishing a National Preventive Mechanism

    A draft bill to establish a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has been introduced in the parliamentary process in Lebanon on November 3, 2011. The law foresees the establishment of a National Human Rights Institution that includes a permanent Committee for the Prevention of Torture which will function as the Lebanese NPM. The law was introduced by two members of the human rights committee of...
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In the News

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SPT Statement on Brazil Visit

Prevention of Torture: UN human rights body presents confidential preliminary observations to the Government of Brazil

Brasília, 30 September 2011 – The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) presented today its confidential preliminary observations to the Government of Brazil, in conclusion of its first regular visit to the country, which took place from 19 to 30 September 2011. During the visit, the SPT met with the relevant national authorities and representatives of civil society, and conducted visits to a number of places of deprivation of liberty, including police stations, prisons, juvenile detention centres...

'Wrong and never justified'

Former MI5 head: Torture is 'wrong and never justified'

The use of torture is "wrong and never justified", the former head of the security service MI5 has insisted.

Eliza Manningham-Buller said it should be "utterly rejected even when it may offer the prospect of saving lives".

Giving the second of her BBC Radio Reith lectures, she acknowledged recent disclosures about alleged British intelligence operations in Libya would "raise widespread concerns".

"No-one could justify what went on under Gaddafi's regime," she added.

Conférence africaine

Conférence africaine sur la prévention de la torture en Afrique les 7 et 8 septembre à Rabat

Cette conférence, organisée avec l'appui de l'ambassade du Royaume-Uni au Maroc, de l'association pour la Prévention de la Torture (APT) et de la délégation interministérielle aux droits de l'Homme, s'inscrit dans le cadre de la convention de partenariat conclue entre le Réseau des Institutions nationales africaines des droits de l'Homme (RINADH), présidé actuellement par le Maroc et l'APT, précise un communiqué du CNDH.

Libya rendition claims

Libya rendition claims: David Cameron calls for inquiry
Allegations that MI6 was involved in the rendition of Libyan terror suspects should be examined by an independent inquiry, David Cameron has said.
It comes after papers suggesting close ties between MI6, the CIA and the Gaddafi regime were found in Tripoli.
An anti-Gaddafi military leader says he wants the UK and US to apologise for organising his 2004 transfer to Libya.
An existing inquiry into allegations of UK security agencies' involvement in torture has said it will investigate.

Libya rendition claims: David Cameron calls for inquiry

Allegations that MI6 was involved in the rendition of Libyan terror suspects should be examined by an independent inquiry, David Cameron has said.

It comes after papers suggesting close ties between MI6, the CIA and the Gaddafi regime were found in Tripoli.

An anti-Gaddafi military leader says he wants the UK and US to apologise for organising his 2004 transfer to Libya.

An existing inquiry into allegations of UK security agencies' involvement in torture has said it will investigate.

 

CoE demands truth

Council of Europe demands truth on CIA 'black sites'

The human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe urged countries that have hosted secret CIA prisons to come clean Monday, as the tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaches.

Thomas Hammarberg said Poland, Romania and Lithuania were among at least seven countries that hosted "black sites" for "enhanced interrogation" during the "war on terror."

"Darkness still enshrouds those who authorized and ran the black sites on European territories," he said.

Chile to probe death

Chile to probe Gen Bachelet's death under Pinochet

A judge in Chile has agreed to investigate the death in prison of Gen Alberto Bachelet during the rule of Gen August Pinochet in the 1970s.

Judge Mario Carroza will review a complaint brought by relatives of the victims of military rule alleging that Gen Bachelet was tortured to death.

Gen Bachelet was loyal to President Salvador Allende, deposed in a 1973 military coup led by Gen Pinochet.

Gen Bachelet's daughter Michelle became Chile's first female president in 2006.

China to amend law

China to amend law to prevent forced confessions

China's top legislature will revise the Criminal Procedure Law to prevent judges from accepting confessions from tortured suspects and giving these suspects more defense options in a bid to ensure justice while protecting defendants' human rights.

A draft amendment submitted Wednesday to the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee states that "evidence and confessions collected through torture, violence and threats should not be accepted."

Zimbabwe torture camp

Zimbabwe torture camp discovered

A torture camp run by Zimbabwe's security forces is operating in the country's rich Marange diamond fields, BBC Panorama has found.

The programme heard from recent victims who told of severe beatings and sexual assault.

The claims come as the European Union pushes to let some banned diamonds from the country led by President Robert Mugabe back onto world markets.

The Zimbabwean government has not responded to the BBC's findings.

Systematic torture in Burma

Systematic torture in Burma as EU seeks closer ties

Burmese dissidents say authorities are routinely torturing political prisioners at a time when EU diplomats and companies are exploring ways to build closer relations with the regime.

Bo Kyi, who now lives in neighbouring Thailand and who runs an NGO called Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma, told EUobserver that people fleeing the country continue to tell stories of atrocities in the country's detention centres.

Abu Ghraib ringleader freed

Ringleader of Abu Ghraib abuse, Charles Graner, is freed

THE convicted ringleader of the US abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib jail in Iraq has been released from a US military prison.

Charles Graner, 42, was released yesterday from the US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after serving 6 1/2 years of his 10-year sentence. He will be under the supervision of a probation officer until December 25, 2014.

The US army would not release any information about Graner's whereabouts or his destination after he was released.
  • Highlights
  • APT in the Regions
  • Torture Law Compilation

OPCAT Global Forum

Five years after the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the APT has held an initial evaluation of the system of prevention. A Global Forum on the OPCAT "Preventing Torture, Upholding Dignity: from Pledges to Actions" took place on 10 and 11 November 2011 in Geneva.
English - Español - Français

OPCAT Database

OPCAT Database

The OPCAT Database on ratification and implementation of the OPCAT, including the functioning of National Preventive Mechanisms. The OPCAT Database is a unique on-line tool which offers information on the ratification and implementation of the OPCAT in all States Parties and Signatories. Information is also available on States which are considering acceding to the OPCAT. The database is available at www.apt.ch/opcat

OPCAT Implementation Manual

OPCAT Implementation Manual

Available in Arabic, Bulgarian, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish & Thai

The new OPCAT Implementation Manual addresses all the questions on implementation of this innovative international human rights treaty. Drawing on initial good practice from all world regions, the manual is designed to serve as a practical reference tool for international, regional and national stakeholders involved in OPCAT ratification and implementation.
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Africa

Americas

Asia Pacific

Europe & Central Asia

Middle East & North Africa

  • Compilation of Torture Laws

    This tool is a compilation of existing national laws relevant to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). It focuses on the criminalisation of torture under national laws of States parties to the UNCAT as well as other relevant provisions.

    Accessing the country files:

    All files of the States parties to the UNCAT are in pdf format and may be accessed from the drop-down list below. You may easily navigate in the country files by clicking on the bookmark that will direct you to the relevant section of the document.



    Content of the country files:

    The country files are composed of:

    •    A fact sheet providing an overview of the laws and
    •    Relevant provisions of the laws in the original language version as well as an English translation, if available.

    The country files are not meant to evaluate the compliance of these laws with the UNCAT, nor their effectiveness in practice.

    The APT would like to thank all those who have contributed to the development of this tool, including by providing laws in the original language version and/or translations.

    While doing its utmost to update the information contained herein, the APT does not guarantee that this data constitutes the latest applicable laws and/or that it represents the entire national legal framework related to torture. The APT therefore welcomes any contribution or comment to this ongoing public service. Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Disclaimer/Non-liability clause:
    The material provided herein, including the translations and the laws in the original language version, is designed for information purposes only and may contain errors. The contents and use of this material, including links, do not imply any responsibility from the part of the APT.


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