A call was made to the Government of Nauru today by a group of United Nations human rights experts to ensure that the country meets its obligations to treat people in detention correctly.
This was said after a three-day visit to Nauru’s police station and the Regional Processing Centre (RPC) for asylum-seekers by members of the UN Subcommittee on the prevention of Torture (SPT).
Malcom Evans, Chair of the SPT, and head of the three-member delegation, which included, June Lopez and Nora Sveaass, said they were pleased to be able to visit all places of deprivation of liberty on the island.
The SPT monitors how states that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) are meeting their treaty obligations, which include setting up a monitoring body known as a National Prevention Mechanism (NPM).
Nauru became a party to OPCAT in January 2013.
Mr. Evans said, “Given the number of people currently being held on the Island, the establishment of an NPM to address their needs and their situation becomes even more pressing.” Evans also indicated that the delegation was encouraged to receive assurance from the Government of Nauru that such mechanism would be established as soon as possible.
Source: UN News Centre
