The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) is an international expert body established under OPCAT with both operational functions (visiting places of detention in States Parties and making recommendations regarding the protection of detainees from ill-treatment) and advisory functions (providing assistance and training to States Parties and NPMs).
The SPT is made up of 25 independent and impartial experts from around the world, and publishes an annual report (opens in a new tab) on its activities. The SPT conducted its first official visit to the UK in 2019.
The SPT has provided guidance to States party to OPCAT and NPMs to inform their efforts to implement the treaty. The UK NPM works to the SPT’s guidance and reports regularly to the SPT on its work.
Please visit the SPT website (opens in a new tab) to get more information and contact details.
Key documents:
- Guidelines on national preventive mechanisms (opens in a new tab)
- Analytical self-assessment tool for National Preventive Mechanisms (DOC. 73.0kb)