October 2016

On 11 October 2016 the Open Society Justic Initiative and HRIC convened a round table in London on the Challenges to the preventative monitoring under OPCAT in the context if counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation measures. The event was a small gathering between the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) and representatives of the National Preventaive Mechanisms (NPMs) of Denmark, France, Norway and the United Kingdom. The event was held under Chatham House rules and discussed four core themes:

1) What are the approriate safeguards against torture and ill-treatment in the context of counter-terrorism measures?

2) The scope of the term 'deprivation of liberty'.

3) Operational issues in relation to the ability of the NPM to discharge its mandate as per the provisions of OPCAT.

4) Substantive issues in relation to the manner in which the variety of counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation measures meet the international human rights standards.

The Outcomes Paper (PDF, 492kB) summarises the discussion for a wider audience.

February 2013

As part of its on-going collaboration with the OSJI on pre-trial detention on 21 February 2013 the HRIC and the OSJI organised a training session for the SPT. The SPT has identified pre-trial detention and overcrowding as one of the general issues arising from its visits. Therefore the aim of this event was to bring together a few external experts with the SPT members to consider how the SPT can most effectively and strategically tackle problems arising from pre-trial detention with the resources it has to date.

October 2011

Dr. Elina Steinerte was invited to take part in the Expert Consultation to develop a Tool for Monitoring Health Conditions in Pre-trial Detention. This Consultation was organised by the Open Society Foundations and took place in Vienna, Austria on 24-25 October 2011. The Vienna Expert Consultation was a hands-on workshop bringing together experts in the fields of communicable diseases, harm reduction, prison health, torture, and prison administration to develop a monitoring tool specific to the health needs of people in pretrial detention.

November 2010

Professor Rachel Murray participated in and presented at the event organised by the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) in Geneva, in relation to the publication of their report 'From Judgement to Justice: Implementing International and Regional Human Rights Decisions' (PDF, 123kB).

November 2009

‌Ms Debra Long and Dr Elina Steinerte of the Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol, together with the experts from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute and the Open Society Justice Initiative co-authored a report on Pretrial Detention and Torture: Why Pretrial Detainees Are Most at Risk (PDF, 1,747kB) which looks at the practice of torture in pre-trial detention, the systemic factors that leave pre-trial detainees so vulnerable, and the safeguards that are needed to prevent this abhorrent practice. By combining policy analysis, first-and accounts and recommendations for reform, the report shows why pre-trial detainees are so at risk of torture and what can be done to stop it. It argues that torture can be deterred by steps including: holding perpetrators accountable; by refusing to admit evidence gained through torture; by allowing prisoners early access to legal counsel; and providing for independent oversight of detention facilities. This publication was launched in June 2011 as part of the OSJI's activities to commemorate the International Day in Support of Torture Survivors.

Prior to the publication of this report, a multi-disciplinary meeting on the remits of the OSJI's Global Campaign for Pre-trial Justice took place in New York on 19-20 November, 2009. Ms Debra Long attended this event on behalf of the HRIC and delivered a joint presentation (PDF, 123kB) with Moritz Birk and Julia Kozma of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute.