هذه المقالة متاحة أيضًا بـ: العربية (Arabic)
The National Human Rights Committee, which includes the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT) participated today in the webinar “Protecting Groups in Situations of Vulnerability: Challenges and Strategies for NHRIs”, organized as part of GANHRI’s ongoing series on strengthening National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in torture prevention and the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). The event took place online on Thursday, January 30, with interpretation available in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.
As a key stakeholder in human rights advocacy and torture prevention, NHRC-CPT reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of individuals at heightened risk in detention. The webinar served as an important platform for NHRIs to exchange knowledge, share innovative practices, and explore collaborative solutions to enhance the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, migrants, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.
The webinar featured presentations from distinguished experts and NHRI representatives worldwide, who discussed legal frameworks, policy initiatives, and monitoring mechanisms that promote accountability and improve detention conditions. Key sessions addressed the role of laws and policies in protecting detainees, as well as identifying gaps in existing frameworks and developing new strategies for torture prevention.
NHRC-CPT stressed that tt is crucial to address the concerns of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) regarding National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) embedded under National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). We must emphasize that these models have been successfully implemented in various countries, demonstrating their ability to function freely under NHRI structures. It is essential to convince the SPT members that NPMs can effectively operate under NHRIs without undue interference, contrary to some negative perceptions of national laws governing NHRIs.
NHRC-CPT asked GANHRI to extend its support to NHRC-CPT Lebanon, which, despite being established for over seven years, remains unable to apply for GANHRI accreditation due to obstacles imposed by Lebanese authorities. These obstacles have hindered the ratification of its bylaws, preventing it from fully exercising its mandate. We kindly ask GANHRI to publicly express solidarity with NHRC-CPT Lebanon and advocate for removing these barriers.
NHRC-CPT remains dedicated to advocating for humane detention conditions, reinforcing national and international safeguards, and ensuring that human rights standards are upheld for all individuals, particularly those facing heightened risks. Its participation in this webinar contributed to the global discourse on effective human rights monitoring and the prevention of torture and ill-treatment in places of detention.
