This booklet, entitled “Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture – Implementation Manual (Revised Edition)”, constitutes a comprehensive and practical reference designed to support the understanding and implementation of one of the most important international instruments for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. The revised edition was published in 2010 through a joint collaboration between the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights (IIHR) .
The manual serves as a practical tool aimed at policymakers, national human rights institutions, national preventive mechanisms, governmental authorities, and civil society actors involved in the prevention of torture. It goes beyond a purely legal presentation of the Optional Protocol (OPCAT) by providing detailed guidance on how its provisions can be implemented in practice.
Structured into five main chapters, the manual covers the fundamental principles of OPCAT, offers a detailed legal analysis of its provisions, explains the mandate and functioning of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), and provides operational guidance on the establishment and functioning of National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs). It also presents concrete examples of good practices and practical approaches drawn from global experiences .
The manual reflects a key shift in the international approach to combating torture, moving from reactive condemnation to proactive prevention. It emphasizes the importance of regular and independent visits to places of detention, constructive dialogue with authorities, and systemic reforms aimed at addressing root causes of ill-treatment.
The publication was jointly produced by two leading institutions. The Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), based in Geneva, is a specialized international NGO that has played a central role in promoting preventive mechanisms against torture, including the development of OPCAT itself. The Inter-American Institute of Human Rights (IIHR), based in Costa Rica, is a regional institution dedicated to research, training, and institutional strengthening in the field of human rights.
This manual stands as a key resource for supporting States and stakeholders in fulfilling their obligations under OPCAT and in building effective, preventive systems that protect persons deprived of their liberty from torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
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