Irish Penal Reform Trust

Ratification of OPCAT

The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) is an international human rights treaty that assists States in preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places of detention.

Ireland signed OPCAT in October 2007 - but more than a decade and a half on it is yet to ratify it.

The Optional Protocol (OPCAT) was agreed by the UN General Assembly in 2002, introducing a combined system of national and international monitoring of places of detention with a view to preventing ill-treatment.

Places of detention are not limited to prisons. OPCAT applies to anywhere where people are deprived of their liberty. Examples of places of detention include, but are not limited to:

  • Psychiatric units;
  • Juvenile detention centres;
  • Immigration detention centres;
  • Pre-trial detention facilities;
  • Garda stations.

Accountability in places of detention is crucial. Monitoring and inspection, along with an effective independent complaints mechanism for detainees, are central to the protection of human rights and form part of Ireland’s obligations under international law.

The aim of OPCAT is to strengthen the protection of persons deprived of their liberty. IPRT supports this goal and believes that independent monitoring under OPCAT will serve to strengthen a culture of human rights within Irish detention facilities.

For more information on OPCAT, click here.

Belgium ratifies the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), Ireland now last in EU to ratify

20th May 2024

Belgium has ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT). Their National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) was established just 10 days after passing legislation. Ireland is now the only EU country without a law to create a NPM.

The Council of Europe Anti-torture Committee (CPT) 2023 General Report on the protection of transgender persons in prison

25th April 2024

On 25 April 2024, the Council of Europe Anti-torture Committee (CPT) 2023 General Report on the protection of transgender persons in prison

Liberties EU Rule of Law Report 2024

18th March 2024

IPRT, alongside eight other Irish organisations, contributed to the Liberties EU Rule Of Law Report 2024. The international report lays out the most striking developments concerning justice, corruption, civic space, media freedom, checks and balances, and systemic human rights issues across 19 states.

OIP conference: The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture: Developing a Criminal Justice National Preventive Mechanism in Ireland

11th December 2023

IPRT contributed to the high-level international conference hosted by the Office of Inspector of Prisons (OIP) titled The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture: Developing a Criminal Justice National Preventive Mechanism in Ireland. 

IPRT welcomes the publication of the Joint Committee on Justice’s Report on Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022

14th March 2023

IPRT welcomes the publication of the Joint Committee on Justice’s Report on the topic of ‘Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022 published on 8 March 2023.

A Review of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill

14th December 2022

IPRT's Legal and Public Affairs Manager and Deputy Director, Molly Joyce, writes for the PILA Ireland news bulletin: A Review of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill. The bill will provide the mechanism by which the Government will finally ratify the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).

IPRT Submission to the Joint Committee on Justice on the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022

5th August 2022

In total, the IPRT submission makes 36 recommendations on the Draft General Scheme of the Bill.

IPRT welcomes UN Human Rights Committee’s clear focus on key human rights issues impacting people in prison

27th July 2022

MEDIA RELEASE: IPRT welcomed the clear focus by the UN Human Rights Committee on issues pertaining to people deprived of their liberty including prison overcrowding, access to adequate mental healthcare, the failure to publish reports relating to the Dóchas Centre, the overrepresentation of Travellers in the penal system and the need to ratify OPCAT.

Follow-up on Ireland's third UPR Review

15th July 2022

Following the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Ireland, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in order to highlight areas requiring “particular attention” before Ireland’s fourth UPR cycle.

Ireland’s human rights record to come under the spotlight at UN hearing – IPRT

3rd July 2022

MEDIA RELEASE: IPRT will ask the UN Human Rights Committee to question State officials on how Ireland is meeting its human rights obligations to people in prison, as part of the State’s fifth review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

IPRT welcomes the publication of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill

24th June 2022

IPRT statement on the publication of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill by the Minister for Justice on 24 June 2022.

Alternative Report on Ireland’s Fifth Review under ICCPR

30th May 2022

IPRT welcomed the opportunity to provide this alternative report to the UN Human Rights Committee on Ireland’s fifth review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Minister for Justice publishes Justice Plan 2022

28th March 2022

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD has published Justice Plan 2022, outlining 159 actions to continue building a justice system that works for everyone.

Draft Report on Ireland’s third UPR

12th November 2021

IPRT summarises the recommendations relating to the work of IPRT made by States during the review, following the adoption and publication of the Draft Report on Friday 12th November.

Ireland’s human rights record under the spotlight by UN peers – IPRT

10th November 2021

PRESS NOTICE: Ireland’s human rights record, including its failure to ratify international human rights treaties and its treatment of people in prison, will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council Working Group as part of Ireland’s third Universal Period Review (UPR) from 13.30 today.

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