In 2027, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an effort to ensure that the prevention of torture and ill-treatment remains at the heart of international priorities. To engage in reflections on progress achieved and especially look ahead at emerging threats and opportunities to reduce the risks of torture, the APT is calling for contributions for a flagship online platform it will launch in 2027 to mark its 50th anniversary.
Through a participatory and dynamic approach, the online platform aspires to promote different voices, perspectives, and forms of expression to highlight the richness and diversity of the torture prevention movement. As an essentially forward-looking resource, a particular emphasis will be placed in collecting contributions from youth. The online platform is envisioned as a lasting reference and advocacy tool for all actors interested in the prevention of torture and ill-treatment.
Torture and ill-treatment today
Torture represents one of the most severe attacks on a person’s humanity and dignity. It is a grievous violation of human rights that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Yet, the risk of torture still exists across different contexts globally. Preventing torture is therefore essential everywhere and at all times to uphold dignity and build peaceful and inclusive societies, based on the rule of law.
50 years ago, Jean-Jacques Gautier founded the APT to advocate for a universal system of unannounced visits to places of deprivation of liberty, as an effective way to prevent torture and ill-treatment. Gautier’s vision became a reality with the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which establishes independent oversight of places where people are deprived of liberty by National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs). OPCAT marks its 25th anniversary in 2027, and next year will also commemorate key regional developments, including the 40th anniversary of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and the 25th anniversary of the Robben Island Guidelines for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture in Africa.
Torture prevention yields concrete and lasting results. Today, in partnership with NPMs and a wide range of different partners across the globe, the APT develops and implements holistic approaches to torture prevention, based on evidence, by addressing the root causes and evolving risks of torture.
Join us!
We invite contributions from all individuals, groups, and organisations interested in sharing experiences, analysis, and creative approaches on the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. The APT is particularly interested in receiving contributions from youth as well as from torture survivors, and persons with a lived experience of deprivation of liberty, including their family members.
Contributors are welcome to choose the format which best captures their perspective and message. We welcome written, visual, video, and audio submissions. These include, but are not limited to, articles, op-eds, photographs, illustrations, podcasts, soundscapes, field recordings, short films, or recorded performances.
Contributions are encouraged to critically engage with one or more of the following questions:
- What does preventing torture and ill-treatment mean, in practical terms, to you and your field of activity or expertise?
- In your experience, what are some of the overlooked factors that play a role in effectively preventing torture and ill-treatment?
- What are some examples of innovative approaches to the prevention of torture and ill-treatment?
- How can torture survivors and persons with lived experience of deprivation of liberty be meaningfully involved in efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment?
- What challenges and opportunities will shape the future landscape for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment?
What role can youth play in this context?
The APT will strive to collect a diverse selection of contributions. Great value will be placed on the originality of chosen topics, perspectives and formats, which engage on torture prevention from a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, and which are oriented towards the future.
Important dates
- Submission of proposals: Interested participants are invited to submit their proposals for contributions no later than 12 July 2026 to the following email address: dfyfe@apt.ch with the subject line “APT50 Online platform_NAME”.
- Notification of acceptance: After evaluation of all the proposals received, selected participants will be notified during the between 3-7 August 2026. The APT will also strive to notify all participants whose proposals have not been selected.
- Submission of the final contribution: Selected participants will be requested to submit their completed contribution no later than 1 November 2026.
Formats for submission
Submissions will be accepted in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. When submitting proposals for contributions, interested participants are kindly requested to include the following information in a Word or PDF document:
- Names and affiliations of the author(s)
- Email address
- Proposed title
- An abstract or presentation of the concept of the proposal (500-800 words), including the background and rationale behind the proposal, the chosen topic, the envisioned methodology, format, length or size.
- A short bio of the submitting individual(s) and/or organisations (maximum 200 words)
We are excited to review your proposals and thank you in advance for your participation!