Prevention of Torture
National human rights institutions have a leading role to play in the prevention of torture by reminding governments of their obligation to respect international human rights standards, conducting regular visits to detention facilities, investigating complaints and supporting training for relevant officials.
The Prevention of Torture training program, developed by the APF in partnership with the Association for the Prevention of Torture, is designed to provide APF members with the knowledge, skills and processes to effectively monitor places of detention and investigate allegations of torture.
The program includes an overview of the international human rights standards relating to the prevention of torture, as well as practical training in preparing for and undertaking visits to places of detention and interviewing detainees.
The training draws on Preventing Torture: An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions, a comprehensive toolkit developed jointly by the APF, the APT and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Watch the video introduction to the Preventing Torture: An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions.
In addition, the program helps APF members to assess their capacity to fulfil the role of a National Preventive Mechanism and the extent to which they are able to comply with the standards set out in the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
Previous programs
Blended-learning course for South Asia NHRIs, July – September 2011
26 participants from the national human rights institutions of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka took part in this blended learning program, which included a five-week online course followed by a five-day workshop in Kathmandu (19-23 September 2010) hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal.
Pilot blended-learning course for South East Asia NHRIs, October – December 2010
27 participants from the national human rights institutions of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor Leste took part in this ‘blended learning’ program, which included a five-week online course (25 October-28 November 2010) followed by a four-day workshop in Kuala Lumpur (6-9 December 2010) hosted by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. Read more.
Australia: Workshop on OPCAT ratification, 25 November 2009
Approximately 60 participants, including representatives from state and federal agencies, NGOs, the Australian Human Rights Commission, academics and international experts discussed the different models that Australia could adopt to meet its obligations under OPCAT. Read more.
South Korea: Workshop on OPCAT ratification, 8 October 2009
Around 80 participants from NGOs, academia and government agencies took part in the symposium, which followed on from discussions in November 2006 on the steps involved in ratifying and implementing OPCAT. Read more.
Japan: Workshop on OPCAT ratification and NHRI establishment, 5 October 2009
The workshop brought together representatives from government and civil society and was the first time the OPCAT had been discussed in such a forum in Japan. Separate discussions were held the following day with government officials. Read more.
Indonesia: Workshop on OPCAT ratification, 17-19 November 2008
Around 50 representatives from Indonesia’s human rights commission, civil society organisations, government agencies and law enforcement bodies attended the conference to discuss practical issues related to OPCAT ratification, including possible models for a National Preventive Mechanism. It was followed by a two-day training program on undertaking preventive visits to places of detention. Read more.
Philippines: Workshop on OPCAT implementation, 23-24 September 2008
The workshop brought together a broad range of stakeholders to examine questions around detention monitoring mechanisms and to develop a ‘road map’ for effective implementation of the OPCAT in the Philippines. Read more.
Thailand: Prevention of Torture Training, 26-28 June 2007
Preventing Torture in Thailand: The Way Forward, held in Bangkok and Nakorn-Nayok, was a joint initiative of the APT and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, in partnership with the APF and the Swiss Government.
Maldives: Prevention of Torture Training, 24-26 April 2007
Implementing the UN Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol in the Maldives: Challenges and Opportunities, held in Male’, involved representatives from the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, government departments and civil society. The workshop was jointly organised by the Commission, the APT, the Maldives Ministry of Home Affairs and the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the APF and the Swiss Government.
South Korea: Prevention of Torture Training, November 2006
More than 30 participants took part in the four-day training program, including representatives from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, the Corrections Department of the Ministry of Justice, the National Police Service and national NGOs.
