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.

Adapting to COVID-19: Prison Oversight and Monitoring During a Pandemic

22nd April 2020

The Network on External Prison Oversight and Human Rights has published a special issue newsletter focusing on prison oversight and monitoring during COVID-19. Experts in oversight and monitoring in places of deprivation of liberty have contributed to the issue, to share updates on how oversight roles are shifting during this pandemic.

Human Rights Law Centre (Australia): Stopping Solitary Confinement

31st March 2020

The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) in Australia has published 'Stopping Solitary Confinement', a submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The HRLC writes specifically about the use of solitary confinement during COVID-19.

IPRT Submission to the UN Committee against Torture: Information for List of Issues

27th January 2020

In this submission, IPRT outlines the progress made by Ireland on the 2017 Concluding Observations and further highlights a number of matters that might merit scrutiny during the next reporting cycle of the UN Committee against Torture.

IPRT Submission to the UNCAT on Ireland’s one year follow-up

23rd November 2018

The IPRT Submission to the UN Committee against Torture on Ireland’s one year follow-up to its second periodic report under UNCAT focuses on developments in respect of the ratification of OPCAT.

Border Criminologies: HMIP Detention Monitoring Methodology

12th November 2018

Border Criminologies (University of Oxford) has published a briefing paper outlining the methodology used by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, coordinating body of the UK NPM.

Law Seminar: Detention, Human Rights and the OPCAT

12th November 2018

The Irish Penal Reform Trust and the Irish Criminal Bar Association co-hosted a seminar on 'Detention, Human Rights and the OPCAT' on Monday 12th November 2018 in the Ormond Meeting Rooms.

Statement of Principles on Legislation to Ratify the OPCAT

12th November 2018

This document outlines the minimum legislative requirements for any legislation intended to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.

OpEd: Ireland has not ratified a protocol to prevent torture in places of detention

8th August 2018

An OpEd by IPRT Executive Director Deirdre Malone in The Irish Times discusses Ireland’s failure to ratify OPCAT.

Press Release: Ratification of torture prevention treaty will bolster Ireland’s position on international stage

6th July 2018

IPRT welcomes the commitment made by the Minister for Justice and Equality today (5 July) that legislation to ratify the ‘OPCAT’ will be introduced in 2018.

Report on Penal Reform and Sentencing

10th May 2018

Many of the issues raised by IPRT during our hearing before the Committee are included in the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on Penal Reform and Sentencing.

Press Release: IPRT welcomes the appointment of new Inspector of Prisons

4th April 2018

Patricia Gilheaney has been announced as the new Inspector of Prisons, effective from 7 May 2018.

Immigration Detention: Nasc Report Reveals Flaws in Ireland's Immigration System

13th March 2018

Nasc has launched a new report on Tuesday 13th March 2018, ahead of plans for a new immigration detention centre in Dublin Airport.

Oireachtas Seminar: PIPS and OPCAT

13th December 2017

Senator Ivana Bacik hosted IPRT for an All Party Penal Reform Group Briefing Seminar Wednesday 13th December 2017.

UN Committee against Torture publishes Concluding Observations on Ireland

11th August 2017

IPRT welcomes the Concluding Observations released by the UN Committee against Torture on Ireland's second periodic review under the UN Convention against Torture.

UNCAT: Summary record of second periodic review of Ireland

7th August 2017

A record of Ireland's hearing under the UNCAT, which took place in Palais Wilson, Geneva on Thurs 27 July and Fri 28 July 2017.

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