Ratification of OPCAT
The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) is an international human rights treaty that assists States in preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places of detention.
Ireland signed OPCAT in October 2007 - but more than a decade and a half on it is yet to ratify it.
The Optional Protocol (OPCAT) was agreed by the UN General Assembly in 2002, introducing a combined system of national and international monitoring of places of detention with a view to preventing ill-treatment.
Places of detention are not limited to prisons. OPCAT applies to anywhere where people are deprived of their liberty. Examples of places of detention include, but are not limited to:
- Psychiatric units;
- Juvenile detention centres;
- Immigration detention centres;
- Pre-trial detention facilities;
- Garda stations.
Accountability in places of detention is crucial. Monitoring and inspection, along with an effective independent complaints mechanism for detainees, are central to the protection of human rights and form part of Ireland’s obligations under international law.
The aim of OPCAT is to strengthen the protection of persons deprived of their liberty. IPRT supports this goal and believes that independent monitoring under OPCAT will serve to strengthen a culture of human rights within Irish detention facilities.
For more information on OPCAT, click here.
Prison Insider: Prison Life Index
5th December 2024
IPRT welcomes the launch of a new resource called the Prison Life Index (PLI) - a new composite index that evaluates the respect for the fundamental rights of people in prison across the world. The first version of the Prison Life Index covers 12 countries, including Ireland.
Report: ‘Access to Justice: Legal Pathways to Justice for the Rights of People in Prison’
3rd December 2024
On 3 December 2024, Dr Amina Adanan published a report entitled, ‘Access to Justice: Legal Pathways to Justice for the Rights of People in Prison’. Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) was delighted to be the civic society project partner for this research.
Belgium ratifies the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), Ireland now last in EU to ratify
20th May 2024
Belgium has ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT). Their National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) was established just 10 days after passing legislation. Ireland is now the only EU country without a law to create a NPM.
The Council of Europe Anti-torture Committee (CPT) 2023 General Report on the protection of transgender persons in prison
25th April 2024
On 25 April 2024, the Council of Europe Anti-torture Committee (CPT) 2023 General Report on the protection of transgender persons in prison
Liberties EU Rule of Law Report 2024
18th March 2024
IPRT, alongside eight other Irish organisations, contributed to the Liberties EU Rule Of Law Report 2024. The international report lays out the most striking developments concerning justice, corruption, civic space, media freedom, checks and balances, and systemic human rights issues across 19 states.
OIP conference: The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture: Developing a Criminal Justice National Preventive Mechanism in Ireland
11th December 2023
IPRT contributed to the high-level international conference hosted by the Office of Inspector of Prisons (OIP) titled The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture: Developing a Criminal Justice National Preventive Mechanism in Ireland.
IPRT welcomes the publication of the Joint Committee on Justice’s Report on Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022
14th March 2023
IPRT welcomes the publication of the Joint Committee on Justice’s Report on the topic of ‘Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022 published on 8 March 2023.
A Review of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill
14th December 2022
IPRT's Legal and Public Affairs Manager and Deputy Director, Molly Joyce, writes for the PILA Ireland news bulletin: A Review of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill. The bill will provide the mechanism by which the Government will finally ratify the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
IPRT Submission to the Joint Committee on Justice on the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022
5th August 2022
In total, the IPRT submission makes 36 recommendations on the Draft General Scheme of the Bill.
IPRT welcomes UN Human Rights Committee’s clear focus on key human rights issues impacting people in prison
27th July 2022
MEDIA RELEASE: IPRT welcomed the clear focus by the UN Human Rights Committee on issues pertaining to people deprived of their liberty including prison overcrowding, access to adequate mental healthcare, the failure to publish reports relating to the Dóchas Centre, the overrepresentation of Travellers in the penal system and the need to ratify OPCAT.
Follow-up on Ireland's third UPR Review
15th July 2022
Following the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Ireland, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in order to highlight areas requiring “particular attention” before Ireland’s fourth UPR cycle.
Ireland’s human rights record to come under the spotlight at UN hearing – IPRT
3rd July 2022
MEDIA RELEASE: IPRT will ask the UN Human Rights Committee to question State officials on how Ireland is meeting its human rights obligations to people in prison, as part of the State’s fifth review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
IPRT welcomes the publication of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill
24th June 2022
IPRT statement on the publication of the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill by the Minister for Justice on 24 June 2022.
Alternative Report on Ireland’s Fifth Review under ICCPR
30th May 2022
IPRT welcomed the opportunity to provide this alternative report to the UN Human Rights Committee on Ireland’s fifth review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Minister for Justice publishes Justice Plan 2022
28th March 2022
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD has published Justice Plan 2022, outlining 159 actions to continue building a justice system that works for everyone.
