Prevention of torture

The foundation of RCT's international prevention work is the UN Convention Against Torture (1984) which states that no person may be subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  This convention was adopted on December 10, 1984 by the UN General Assembly and entered into force on June 26, 1987.

Furthermore, RCT's work builds on the principles in a number of international and regional conventions and declarations, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights of 1948, the Council of Europe's Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of 1987 and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) of 2002 .

See a list of international instruments in the field of torture prevention

In working for the prevention of torture the RCT has established 5 seperate strategies.

These incude:

1. International advocacy through the international human rights system   
2. Legal reform within the national criminal justice system
3. Institutional reform within the national criminal justice system
4. Independent monitoring of places of detention 
5. Promoting access to justice for torture victims

For a detailed description of  RCT's Prevention strategies - click here

RCT also conducts  research projects on torture prevention.