On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights (BIM) and the Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol (HRIC) published their study on enhancing the impact of torture prevention mechanisms operating in the EU, which highlights the need for a strategic, ‘impact-oriented’ approach to strengthen follow-up on their recommendations.

Twenty-eight years ago, the UN Convention against Torture came into effect, with the aim to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment in the world. In 2006, it was complemented by the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), which — through its two level system of preventive monitoring of places of detention — provides state parties with systematic observations and recommendations by the international UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) and National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) on how to improve conditions of detention and the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. Of all the regions worldwide, to date, Europe has the highest density of state parties that have established NPMs, with 24 NPMs currently designated to carry out preventive visits to places of detention in the EU.

As more NPMs operate and generate recommendations, their work is coming under greater scrutiny and one of the main challenges faced ‘is ensuring that their recommendations are implemented and lead to real changes in the practice of deprivation of liberty. Impact obviously constitutes the litmus test of the work of monitoring bodies.’1 If the visits do not lead to change, there is the risk that this will lead to a ‘monitoring fatigue’, both among the institutions visited and the monitoring mechanism itself.

Thus, the BIM and HRIC have conducted a large-scale research project, financed by the EU and co- financed by the Council of Europe and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, analysing the follow-up procedures of all NPMs operating in the EU. The research has revealed numerous good practices, yet also a lack of a strategic approach as well as weak coordination and cooperation with international mechanisms and institutions, notably the EU. In order to emphasise the importance of strengthening the impact of torture prevention mechanisms, the BIM and HRIC take the opportunity of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture to publish its final study of the project. The study provides the first collection of good practices of NPMs’ follow-up tools and processes, and proposes ‘building blocks’ for the development of a follow-up strategy that can not only be used by NPMs but by all actors in the field of torture prevention.

With its research, the BIM and HRIC hope to make a valuable contribution supporting states and civil society organisations in their fight against torture and other ill-treatment.

The study "Enhancing Impact of National Preventive Mechanisms. Strengthening the follow-up on NPM recommendations in the EU: Strategic development, current practices and the way forward” can be downloaded here NPM study (PDF, 1,814kB).

1. APT, Preventing torture – A shared responsibility, Regional Forum on the OPCAT in Latin America (2014) 72.