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?