CAT/OP/11 United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 10 June 2021 Original: English Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Protocol for national preventive mechanisms undertaking onsite visits during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic* I. Introduction 1. The present protocol was prepared taking into account that conditions surrounding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are evolving very quickly and that a flexible approach is needed. National preventive mechanisms are invited to send their comments and observations to the Subcommittee. The present protocol will be reviewed and updated, as appropriate. 2. Although national preventive mechanisms can enhance their activities that are not related to visits, such as advocacy work, they are advised not to halt monitoring altogether, but rather to adapt their approach.1 The present protocol is aimed at encouraging national preventive mechanisms to continue or restart on-site, safe and effective visits during the pandemic, and is also aimed at facilitating such visits. 3. New detention sites, such as quarantine facilities, should be included in monitoring. In addition, new measures in place due to the pandemic should be assessed, and the methodology should be adapted.2 4. The present protocol is advisory in nature and meant to be part of the visiting preparations for national preventive mechanisms. It should not replace medical guidelines and advice from national authorities. National preventive mechanisms are invited to enrich the protocol further with their own expertise. 5. Apart from being a practical tool to help national preventive mechanism visiting teams, the present protocol is aimed at: (a) Continuing to protect the right of persons deprived of liberty to live free of torture and ill-treatment by ensuring that torture prevention mechanisms continue to carry out on-site visits; (b) Helping to protect national preventive mechanism visiting teams, persons deprived of their liberty and staff working in places of deprivation of liberty from becoming infected with the virus responsible for COVID-19. * The present protocol was drafted in follow-up to a decision taken by the Subcommittee during its 1 2 forty-third session and adopted on 26 May 2021, pursuant to article 11 (b) of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. See CAT/OP/10, para. 11. Dignity – Danish Institute against Torture, “Synthesis of global guidance and recommendations on how to prevent and manage COVID-19 in prisons”, 26 March 2020 (updated on 16 July 2020). GE.21-07673(E)

Select target paragraph3