Torture prevention urge Nauru to set up detention monitoring

UN torture prevention body urges Nauru to set up detention monitoring mechanism

GENEVA (6 May 2015) - The UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) has ended its first visit to Nauru, which focussed on the situation of people being detained on the island and the need to establish an independent monitoring body for places of detention.

During their three-day visit, the SPT delegation visited Nauru's police station and prison, as well as the Regional Processing Center (RPC) for asylum-seekers, a large facility comprising three separate units housing men, women and families with children who have been attempting to reach Australia.

"We were pleased to be able to visit all places of deprivation of liberty on the island," said Malcolm Evans, the chair of the SPT and head of the three-member delegation.

The SPT monitors how States that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) are meeting their treaty obligations, which include setting up a monitoring body known as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Nauru became a party to OPCAT in January 2013 and an NPM should have been in place one year after that.

"Given the number of people currently being held on the island, the establishment of an NPM to address their needs and their situation becomes even more pressing," said Professor Evans. Against this background, Prof. Evans indicated that the SPT delegation was encouraged to receive the Government's assurances that this mechanism would be established as soon as possible.

"The SPT would be pleased to respond to any request by the Government of the Republic of Nauru for assistance. It is, of course, essential that this mechanism is able to operate effectively and independently in all facilities on the island," Prof. Evans stressed.

The SPT delegation was composed of: Malcolm Evans, June Lopez and Nora Sveaass.

ENDS

© Scoop Media