CAT/OP/5
United Nations
Optional Protocol to the
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
4 February 2015
Original: English
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment
Guidelines of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment in relation to visits to States parties under
article 11 (a) of the Optional Protocol*
At its twenty-third session, the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment decided that a revised text of
the guidelines for the Subcommittee’s regular and follow-up visits would be considered for
adoption at the twenty-fourth session and made available in the working languages of the
Subcommittee. The revised text, set out below, was adopted by the Subcommittee at its
twenty-fourth session.
I. Procedure concerning visits conducted under article 11 (a)
of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment in relation to visits to States parties
Guideline 1
Visits conducted under article 11 (a)
1.
In accordance with the mandate conferred on the Subcommittee on the Prevention of
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by the Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, the Subcommittee shall establish a programme of visits to places
of deprivation of liberty in States parties in order to prevent torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to strengthen the protection of persons
deprived of their liberty against torture and other forms of ill-treatment. If the
Subcommittee considers it appropriate, it may decide to carry out a short follow-up visit, as
provided for in article 13, paragraph 4, of the Optional Protocol.
* The present revised guidelines supersede those issued under the symbol CAT/OP/12/4.
GE.15-01772 (E)