Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Subcommittee on prevention of torture
The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) is a new kind of treaty body in the United Nations human rights system. It has a preventive mandate focused on a proactive approach to preventing torture and ill treatment.
States that ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) give the SPT the right to visit their places of detention and examine the treatment of people held there.
The Protocol also obliges States to set up independent National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) to examine the treatment of people in detention, make recommendations to government authorities to strengthen protection against torture and comment on existing or proposed legislation. The SPT assists and advises NPMs in their work.
Events
Contact information
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT)
Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais Wilson - 52, rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva (Switzerland)
Mailing address:
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: ohchr-opcat@un.org
Twitter: @UNTreatyBodies
Photo credit: EPA-EFE/Gustavo Amador
Status of ratifications
To date, 94 States have ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Ratification of the Optional Protocol including all declarations and reservations
Activities
Statement by Ms. Suzanne Jabbour Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, UNGA78
12 October 2023
General comments
CAT/OP/GC/1: General comment No. 1 (2024) on article 4 of the Optional Protocol (places of deprivation of liberty)