National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Implementation of UPR Recommendations Relating to Torture Prevention
Project organisers: Par Engstrom (HRC) and Thomas Pegram (TCD)
Sponsors: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Human Rights Consortium, School of Advanced Study, the Institute for the Study of Latin America, University of London, Law School, Palermo University, Buenos Aires
The purpose of this research project begun in August 2011 is to strengthen the capacity of NHRIs in Latin America –Defensorías del Pueblo, Procuradurías y Comisiones de los Derechos Humanos – to engage with the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council to promote State implementation of international torture prevention standards (CAT and OP-CAT).
NHRIs include:
Bolivia: Defensoría del Pueblo
Chile: Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos
Colombia: Defensoría del Pueblo
Costa Rica: Defensoría de los Habitantes
Ecuador: Defensoría del Pueblo
El Salvador: Procuraduría para la defensa de los Derechos Humanos
Guatemala: Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos
Mexico: Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos
Nicaragua: Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos
Panama: Defensoría del Pueblo
Paraguay: Defensoría del Pueblo
Peru: Defensoría del Pueblo
Venezuela: Defensoría del Pueblo
Other national institutions: the Argentine Penitentiary Prosecutor’s Office and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Prisons in Uruguay
In collaboration with the Association for the Prevention of Torture-Latin American Office, MERCOSUR Human Rights Public Policy Observatory, and the OHCHR – South America Regional Office
Outputs:
Workshop: National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Implementation of UPR Recommendations Relating to Torture Prevention, 13-14 December 2011, University of Palermo Law School, Buenos Aires, Argentina (programme in Spanish)
Objectives
1. Establish networks among NHRI and government officials, local civil society organizations and external stakeholders within the UN and Interamerican Commission of Human Rights focused on implementation of international torture prevention standards
2. Creation of a multimedia dissemination tool to facilitate regular communication of NHRIs and stakeholders and enhance transparency and exposure
3. Preparation of meeting document, including specific action points for NHRIs on implementation of UPR recommendations relating to international torture prevention standards and State obligations under CAT and OPCAT
Background note
The UN Secretary General has emphasised the crucial role of NHRIs ‘in the effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level’ (A/64/320, 24/08/09). A recent OHCHR survey highlights the significance of NHRI engagement with the UPR – particularly in Latin America – but also underlines the need for more effective use by NHRIs of the UPR process.
NHRIs as torture prevention mechanisms are uniquely placed to ensure better understanding of local context, monitor follow-up and facilitate implementation of CAT obligations. In Latin America NHRIs (Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay) have been designated as National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the OPCAT. A majority of States have ratified the OPCAT but are yet to fulfil their obligation to designate an NPM (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Peru). Other States have not ratified the OPCAT but have NHRIs actively working on torture prevention (Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela). Torture prevention in Latin America is a priority area of concern for the representatives of the UN anti-torture mechanisms and the IACHR (IACHR press release, 30/11/11).
This project is intended to strengthen the capacity of NHRIs in Latin America to engage effectively with the UPR and promote State implementation of international standards under the CAT and OPCAT. Focusing on countries yet to designate an NPM, key target areas for the project include: enhancing in-country NHRI expertise and best practices on torture prevention. It draws on extensive expertise on NHRIs within the Human Rights Consortium and established networks within the OHCHR, IACHR and NHRI offices in Latin America.