Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

E43475

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture is an international human rights treaty that establishes a system of regular, independent visits to places of detention to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United Nations treaty
international human rights treaty
optional protocol
administeredBy Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
adoptedBy United Nations General Assembly
adoptionDate 2002-12-18
adoptionResolution UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/57/199
aimsAt strengthening protection of persons deprived of liberty
appliesTo States parties to the Convention against Torture that ratify the Optional Protocol
articleCount 37
basedOn preventive approach through visits rather than only reactive complaints mechanisms
category United Nations optional protocol
treaty on torture prevention
cooperatesWith Committee against Torture
depositary Secretary-General of the United Nations
enteredIntoForceDate 2006-06-22
establishes Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
national preventive mechanisms
system of regular visits to places of detention
fullName Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
language Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
legalNature binding treaty for States parties
mechanismType preventive visits
monitoringBody Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
national preventive mechanisms
openedForSignatureDate 2003-02-04
parentTreaty Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
partOf United Nations human rights treaty system
placeOfAdoption New York City
prohibits sanctions or reprisals against persons communicating with visiting bodies
purpose to prevent other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
to prevent torture
region global
relatesTo Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
requires States parties to establish or designate national preventive mechanisms
confidentiality of information obtained during visits
cooperation of States parties with the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
unrestricted access for visiting bodies to places of detention subject to certain conditions
scope places where persons are deprived of their liberty
shortName OPCAT
subjectMatter prevention of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
prevention of torture

Referenced by (7)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture ("Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment")
establishedUnder
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture ("Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment")
fullName
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture ("Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment")
legalBasis
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture ("Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment")
monitorsImplementationOf
United Nations treaty bodies
monitorsTreaty
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
relatedInstrument
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture ("OPCAT")
shortName

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