Home OPCAT OPCAT Database Costa Rica OPCAT Situation

Costa Rica - OPCAT Situation

Updated 07.05.2013

We are currently compiling OPCAT-related information on Costa Rica. Further detailed analysis will be available soon.

Costa Rica ratified the OPCAT in 2005 and designated its Ombudsperson's Office (Defensoria de los Habitantes) as NPM in 2007. A NPM legislation is currently being discussed at the Parliament.

The Ombudsperson's Office established a separate NPM Unit, currently composed of one Director and two staff. They conduct frequent visits to places of detention in Costa, although they face practical challenges, in particular a lack of human, financial and logistical resources.

The SPT member Judith Salgado is the SPT Focal Point for Costa Rica.

Opcat status
OPCAT Ratification December 1, 2005
UNCAT Ratification November 11, 1993
SPT Member Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz (2013 - 2016)
NPM Designated

National Ombudsperson's Office

NPM Type

National Human Rights Institution - NPM Unit

NPM Legal Framework

Presidential Decree

NPM Legislation currently under discussion at the Parliament.

 

Information
Population 4 636 348
Area (sq km) 51 100
Number of prisons 30
Prison population 14 963
Special juvenile establishments 3
Quick links

UPR: Report of the Working Group (January 2010)

CAT: Concluding Observations (July 2008)