The European NPMs: facts, figures and trends Association for the Prevention of Torture Association...
Transcript of The European NPMs: facts, figures and trends Association for the Prevention of Torture Association...
The European NPMs: facts, figures and trends
Association for the Prevention of Torture Association pour la prévention de la torture Asociación para la prevención de la tortura
Strasbourg, 5 November 2009
Content of the presentation
1. The OPCAT: an innovative tool to prevent torture
2. Trends of NPMs in the European region
3. Current trends of NPMs in the region
1. The OPCAT: an innovative tool to prevent torture
• Mandate of the OPCAT preventive bodies- operational function: detention
monitoring; regular and unannounced visits to all places of detention
- an orientation function: advice, observations and recommendations on legislations and on improving domestic preventive measures
2. OPCAT and NPMs: facts and figures
2. OPCAT and NPMs: facts and figures
Designated NPMs
NPM designation processes in States Parties
NPM designation processes in States Signatories
2. NPMs in Europe: facts and figures
• 26 States Parties
• 11 Signatories• 20 NPMs
designated in Europe
3. Current trends of NPMs in the European region
a) New bodyb) National Human Rights
Institutionsc) National Human Rights
plus civil society organisations
d) Several bodies
3.a) New body as NPM
• France, Germany and Liechtenstein
• Challenges:- Sufficient resources- Long term- Access to all places of
detention- Recognition; perception of
independence and legitimacy
3 b) National Human Rights Institutions as NPM
• Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Estonia, Poland and Spain
• With a preventive unit: Albania, Czech Republic and Georgia
• Challenges:- Change of approach- OPCAT compliance- Necessary changes: mandate,
resources, institutional and working methods
- Access to all places of detention
3 c) National Human Rights Institutions plus civil society
organisations• Denmark, Macedonia
(potentially), Moldova and Slovenia
• Challenges:- Degree of involvement of civil
society organisations - Immunities and protection - Independence- Workload - Division of tasks, responsibilities
and decision-making
3 d) Several bodies as NPM
• Malta, United Kingdom• NHRIs plus other monitoring
bodies: Sweden• Challenges:
- Coordination- Coverage of all places of
detention- Coherence
Any questions? Comments?