Today marks the OPCAT deadline

Joint Statement - Australia's National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture

Today marks the deadline for Australia to establish its NPM, across the country, under OPCAT. Australia voluntarily agreed to meet the obligations outlined in OPCAT, and yet 5 years later, there is still much work that needs to be done. Progress towards designating and operationalising NPM bodies varies across different states and territories. OPCAT is about protecting fundamental human rights. It is designed to strengthen protections for people deprived of their liberty, because they are vulnerable to breaches of their rights including through torture or ill-treatment. People may be deprived of their liberty for a range of reasons, including where accused or convicted of a crime, for mental health reasons or for immigration detention. A person must never be exposed to torture or ill-treatment, regardless of the reason why they are detained.

Read the full statement here.