APT e-Bulletin N°52, March 2016
Launch: New Guide on national anti-torture legislation
When a State ratifies the United Nations Convention against Torture it agrees to make torture a crime, to provide redress to victims, and to take measures to prevent torture, among other things.

How can this be done through national legislation? APT's new Guide on anti-torture legislation is a practical tool to assist the adoption or revision of anti-torture legislation at the national level. The Guide also promotes existing good practices with concrete examples drawn from different regions.

The Guide is available in English, French and Portuguese.
Fiji ratifies the Convention against Torture
The APT congratulates the Government of Fiji for its ratification of the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) on Monday 14 March 2016.
Indonesian discussions on future National Preventive Mechanism
The momentum for torture prevention in Indonesia was revived at a national seminar in Jakarta recently, where representatives from government agencies, law enforcement and civil society discussed the functioning of an independent and effective future NPM.
Gender perspectives on torture - new report by UN Special Rapporteur Méndez
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Méndez, has published a new report, looking at torture and ill-treatment of women, girls, and LGBT persons in detention. The report was discussed at the 31st session of the Human Rights Council, including at a side-event co-organised by the APT. 
Mauritania starts selecting its NPM members
Mauritania has initiated the selection process of the members of its National Mechanism for Prevention of Torture. A Selection Commission was created in January 2016, to nominate 24 candidates for the NPM.
Other News
APT Resources


Detention Focus Database is now mobile friendly

Detention Focus, APT's database on prison issues, is now available in a mobile and tablet friendly format.

www.apt.ch/detention-focus
Sexual minorities in detention: from invisibility to stigmatisation

Article by Jean-Sébastien Blanc, APT Detention Adviser, in the publication Vulnérabilité et risques dans l'exécution des sanctions pénales, Stämpfli Verlag (French only)
Monitoring places where children are deprived of liberty

A practical guide produced by the Children's Rights Behind Bars project.
Changing Cultures in Closed Environments: What Works?

Article by Jem Stevens, drawing, among other things, on the experiences of the APT.
Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture

OPCAT Status in March 2016:
  • 80 States Parties
  • 18 Additional States Signatories
  • 64 Designated National Preventive Mechanisms

For more information visit the OPCAT Database