The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) is an international human rights treaty which assists States in preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places of detention.
Ireland signed OPCAT in October 2007, but almost a decade 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:
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.
27th January 2020
In this submission, IPRT outlines the progress made by Ireland on the 2017 Concluding Observations and further highlights a number of matters that might merit scrutiny during the next reporting cycle of the UN Committee against Torture.
23rd November 2018
The IPRT Submission to the UN Committee against Torture on Ireland’s one year follow-up to its second periodic report under UNCAT focuses on developments in respect of the ratification of OPCAT.
12th November 2018
The Irish Penal Reform Trust and the Irish Criminal Bar Association co-hosted a seminar on 'Detention, Human Rights and the OPCAT' on Monday 12th November 2018 in the Ormond Meeting Rooms.
12th November 2018
This document outlines the minimum legislative requirements for any legislation intended to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.
12th November 2018
Border Criminologies (University of Oxford) has published a briefing paper outlining the methodology used by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, coordinating body of the UK NPM.
8th August 2018
An OpEd by IPRT Executive Director Deirdre Malone in The Irish Times discusses Ireland’s failure to ratify OPCAT.
6th July 2018
IPRT welcomes the commitment made by the Minister for Justice and Equality today (5 July) that legislation to ratify the ‘OPCAT’ will be introduced in 2018.
10th May 2018
Many of the issues raised by IPRT during our hearing before the Committee are included in the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on Penal Reform and Sentencing.
4th April 2018
Patricia Gilheaney has been announced as the new Inspector of Prisons, effective from 7 May 2018.
13th March 2018
Nasc has launched a new report on Tuesday 13th March 2018, ahead of plans for a new immigration detention centre in Dublin Airport.
13th December 2017
Senator Ivana Bacik hosted IPRT for an All Party Penal Reform Group Briefing Seminar Wednesday 13th December 2017.
11th August 2017
IPRT welcomes the Concluding Observations released by the UN Committee against Torture on Ireland's second periodic review under the UN Convention against Torture.
7th August 2017
A record of Ireland's hearing under the UNCAT, which took place in Palais Wilson, Geneva on Thurs 27 July and Fri 28 July 2017.
27th July 2017
The UN Committee on Torture questions Ireland about its efforts to ensure that the rights of everyone in the penal system are respected and on progress on various issues of concern.
24th July 2017
IPRT made a Submission to the United Nations Committee against Torture in advance of the Second Periodic Review of Ireland under the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in June 2017.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.