Torture prevention is a priority issue for many national actors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The APT has therefore become increasingly active in the region over recent years in the framework of its global activities and its regional activities (for the African MENA countries). Subsequently, in 2007, the APT started a pilot programme targeted specifically at the region, which the APT is currently about to develop into a full-fledged programme.
Bahrain: Safeguards Against Torture
The APT, on the invitation of the UPR steering committee of Bahrain and UNDP, has conducted a second workshop for officials, on the prevention of torture in the Kingdom. The workshop, attended by judges and prosecutors, focused on safeguards against torture and ill-treatment. It took place from 21 – 22 June 2010.
Capacity Building for Human Rights Defenders from the Gulf and Yemen
Human rights defenders from Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen gathered in Bahrain from 27 – 29 May 2010 for a workshop organized by the Bahrain Human Rights Society in cooperation with the APT. More than 40 participants discussed international standards for the protection of persons deprived of liberty and participated in interactive training sessions on detention monitoring. They also reflected on ways to convince the States in the region to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT). In addition to the training itself, workshop participants prepared the ground for the creation of a regional coalition against torture.
Progress in the Implementation of a Lebanese National Preventive Mechanism
Egypt: Judicial Oversight of Places of Juvenile Detention
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ambassador Moushira Khattab, Egypt's Minister of State for Family and Population, called for further enhancement in the transparency of places of detention and institutions for children. In her opening remarks to the participants of a workshop on judicial oversight of places of juvenile detention, she called for the entrusting of independent bodies with a sound inspection mandate. She underlined that such inspections contribute constructively to ensuring that institutions fulfill their mandate in rehabilitating and reintegrating children in conflict with the law into society.
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MENA - Country Specific
MENA - Thematic
Torture Law Compilation
The APT's research tool, the Compilation of Torture Laws, is accessible at www.apt.ch/laws
Focusing on issues related to the criminalisation of torture, this tool compiles national laws of State Parties to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).