175
UNCAT States Parties
94
OPCAT States Parties
141
Initial CAT Reports Submitted
167
States Prohibit Torture in Their Constitution
149
States Criminalise Torture in domestic law
79
Designated NPMs
75
Operational NPMs
89
NHRIs with ‘A status’
About the project
Since the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereafter referred to as UNCAT) came into force in 1987, significant strides have been made in the prevention of torture. Amid renewed threats and challenges to human rights, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT)'s Torture Prevention Mapping tool showcases this progress, highlighting trends globally and inspiring further action to prevent torture. This project builds upon findings from the 2016 publication 'Does Torture Prevention Work?’, which demonstrated that preventive measures contribute meaningfully to reducing the risk of torture.
This reference tool tracks and visualizes data from 197 countries, focusing firstly on key legal measures—referred to as "positive actions"—that indicate the establishment of legal foundations vital for the prevention of torture. Monitoring these indicators over a period spanning more than 40 years provides a powerful reminder that meaningful progress in torture prevention is both measurable and achievable. It’s not just a snapshot of where we stand. It’s a call to action, underscoring global achievements and calling for renewed commitment to complete the work ahead, building a world truly free from torture.
The eight 'positive actions', which serve as indicators in the analysis, are grouped into three categories.
- International Law and Standards: Ratification1 of the UNCAT; Submission of Initial Report to the Committee against Torture; Ratification2 of the Optional Protocol to UNCAT (OPCAT);
- National Law: Prohibition of Torture in the Constitution; Criminalisation of Torture under Domestic Law;
Oversight System: Designation of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM); Operationalization of the NPM; National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) that fully complies with the Paris Principles (or NHRIs with A Status).
Implementing all indicators does not imply that torture has been eradicated, but it signals important legal and institutional foundations are in place.
Explore our data process
This project was made possible thanks to our partners:
