APT e-Bulletin N°53, May 2016
APT's Agenda for Change - Strategic Plan 2016-2019
Reducing the risk of torture and ill-treatment requires fundamental changes in legal frameworks, in detention practices and in the protection of persons deprived of their liberty. Places of detention must be open for external oversight.

The APT's new Strategic Plan for 2016-2019 is based on a comprehensive analysis of the high risk areas for torture and the changes needed to reduce those risks. It sets out our contributions over the next four years but it is also an invitation to all our partners to join us in achieving the agenda for change.

Together, we can prevent torture!
Does Torture Prevention Work? Research report to be published in July
Which measures - if any - are effective in reducing the risk of torture and other ill-treatment? This is the overall question of the forthcoming book "Does Torture Prevention Work?" The book is the result of a three-year research project, commissioned by the APT, and carried out independently under the lead of Dr Richard Carver, Oxford Brookes University, UK.
First two National Preventive Mechanisms in the MENA region
Tunisia and Mauritania have recently taken important steps to ensure the protection of people in detention, by selecting the members of their National Preventive Mechanisms.
UN torture prevention body highlights situation of LGBTI persons 
The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has presented its Annual Report 2015, which includes a thematic focus on the specific vulnerabilities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons deprived of liberty.
Better oversight of places of detention in Indonesia
Five national institutions in Indonesia have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for closer cooperation and monitoring of places of detention, in preparation of a future ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.

Other News
APT Resources
Annual Report 2015

APT's Annual Report is now available in English, French and Spanish.
Guide on anti-torture legislation

A practical tool to assist the adoption or revision of anti-torture legislation at the national level.
Preventing torture in Africa

Lessons and experiences from National Human Rights Institutions in Africa.
Visiting Immigration Detention Centres

This guide for parliamentarians, jointly published by APT and the Council of Europe, is now available in Japanese.
Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture

Cape Verde ratified the OPCAT on 1 April 2016.

OPCAT Status in May 2016:
  • 81 States Parties
  • 17 Additional States Signatories
  • 64 Designated National Preventive Mechanisms

For more information visit the OPCAT Database