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)