UN torture prevention
body urges Nauru to set up detention monitoring mechanism
GENEVA (6 May 2015) - The UN Subcommittee on the Prevention
of Torture (SPT) has ended its first visit to Nauru, which focussed on the
situation of people being detained on the island and the need to establish an
independent monitoring body for places of detention.
During their three-day visit, the SPT delegation visited
Nauru's police station and prison, as well as the Regional Processing Center
(RPC) for asylum-seekers, a large facility comprising three separate units
housing men, women and families with children who have been attempting to reach
Australia.
"We were pleased to be able to visit all places of
deprivation of liberty on the island," said Malcolm Evans, the chair of
the SPT and head of the three-member delegation.
The SPT monitors how States that have ratified the Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) are meeting their treaty
obligations, which include setting up a monitoring body known as a National
Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Nauru became a party to OPCAT in January 2013 and
an NPM should have been in place one year after that.
"Given the number of people currently being held on the
island, the establishment of an NPM to address their needs and their situation
becomes even more pressing," said Professor Evans.
Against this
background, Prof. Evans indicated that the SPT delegation was encouraged to
receive the Government's assurances that this mechanism would be established as
soon as possible.
"The SPT would be pleased to respond to any request by
the Government of the Republic of Nauru for assistance. It is, of course, essential that this
mechanism is able to operate effectively and independently in all facilities on
the island," Prof. Evans stressed.
The SPT delegation was composed of: Malcolm Evans, June
Lopez and Nora Sveaass.
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact Liz Throssell, +41 (0)
22 917 9466/ ethrossell@ohchr.org
BACKGROUND
The mandate of the SPT is to prevent torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of persons deprived of their
liberty through visiting, monitoring and advising all States that are parties
to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
States are obliged to allow the SPT unannounced and
unhindered access to all places where people are or may be deprived of their
liberty. States parties also have to establish a National Preventive Mechanism,
which is expected to carry out regular monitoring visits of places of deprivation
of liberty in all parts of the country.
More about the SPT:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/OPCAT/Pages/OPCATIndex.aspx
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