Tocantins has officially become the ninth state in Brazil to establish a Local Preventive Mechanism (LPM), marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to protect the rights of persons deprived of liberty.
Following years of dedicated advocacy by the National Preventive Mechanism, civil society organisations, including APT, and public institution actors, the State of Tocantins appointed the members and inaugurated the functioning of its new local preventive mechanism.
To support the technical strengthening and first steps of the State’s newest oversight body, APT recently concluded a high-level capacity-building mission to The State of Tocantins in close partnership with National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), the Local Preventive Mechanism of the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Secretariat of Citizenship and Justice of the State.
A New National Benchmark
The establishment of the LPM is not merely a procedural victory; it is being hailed as a potential model for the rest of Brazil due to its strong institutional design. The mechanism features the highest number of active experts of any state-level mechanism in the country – 7 members. The State has also raised the nationwide standards on remuneration for its members and has expressed strong commitment to guarantee its full autonomy and provide the necessary resources for the mechanism to fully carry out its mandate.
In dialogues with State authorities, APT and its partners emphasised that effectiveness depends on sustained autonomy and a long-term commitment guarantee the functional independence of the mechanisms as well as the independence of their personnel, as dictated by OPCAT.
From Advocacy to Operation
The primary goal of the mission was to ensure that the newly appointed members have the methodological tools required to fulfill their mandate under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
To foster "peer-to-peer" learning, the training workshop included members of the Rio de Janeiro LPM, a representative from the Agenda Nacional pelo Desencarceramento, and an expert in mental health. The week also included a practical inspection visit to a women prison unit, allowing members to shadow the methodology applied by the NPM and conduct its first inspection visit.
The inauguration of the new oversight body included a high-profile public event to introduce its mandate to the media and wider society.
In the public event, the APT welcomed the transparent and participatory process that involved civil society organisations in the selection of the members of the LPM and reminded the standing obligation of public agents and authorities to torture prevention measures.
“Undoubtedly the creation of the LPM represents a major achievement for the State of Tocantins to strengthen the protection of rights of those at heightened risks of torture or ill-treatment -those who are deprived of liberty behind closed doors and gates. However, its full effectiveness depends on a firm commitment from the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislative authorities to implement and comply with the LPM’s recommendations," affirmed Sylvia Dias, APT’s Senior Legal Advisor and Representative in Brazil.
The public event was attended by a diverse range of public authorities from the State including the Secretary of Citizenship and Justice and representatives of the Public Prosecutor Office, Federal Public Prosecutor Office and Public Defense.
