OPCAT definition
Examples of OPCAT in a sentence
This mechanism was established in response to the UK’s obligations as a party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), an international human rights treaty designed to strengthen the protection of people deprived of their liberty.
In line with the Government’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), inspectors will be given free access to any facilities or areas where people are, or may be, detained and to people who are, or may be, deprived of their liberty.
OPCAT requires that NPMs are functionally and operationally independent, have the necessary resources to perform their functions, have access to information relevant to the treatment of detainees, have access to all places of detention, the liberty to determine where and when to visit, and to maintain contact with the UN Sub-committee on Prevention of Torture (SPT).
OPCAT requires each state party to designate an independent National Preventive Mechanism (NPM)2, which monitors places of detention for the purpose of preventing torture and ill-treatment.
OPCAT requires each state party to designate an independent National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), which monitors places of detention for the purpose of preventing torture and ill-treatment.
OPCAT requires States Party to establish an independent “National Preventative Mechanism” (NPM) to carry out a system of regular visits to places of detention in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The proposed Bill will provide for the designation of National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) to serve as national inspection bodies of places of detention in the State, thereby enabling Ireland to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
The programme of inspection is designed to meet obligations under OPCAT by examining the treatment and conditions under which people are detained in court custody and during escort.
IMBs are part of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), designated by the UK Government to meet the obligations of the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
It reflects published custodial inspection criteria, the expectations that underpin OPCAT, and inspection methods that are effective in other custodial settings.