How Do You Spell OPCAT?

Pronunciation: [ˈɒpkat] (IPA)

Correct spelling for the English word "opcat" is [ˈɒpkat], [ˈɒpkat], [ˈɒ_p_k_a_t] (IPA phonetic alphabet).

OPCAT Meaning and Definition

1. OPCAT stands for the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It is an international human rights treaty that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002 and entered into force on June 22, 2006. The OPCAT aims to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places of detention by establishing a system of regular visits to such facilities by independent international and national bodies.

   The OPCAT establishes a framework for the prevention of torture through a collaborative approach between States parties and the independent monitoring bodies. It obliges States parties to establish or designate one or multiple independent National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) that have the mandate to visit places of detention, including prisons, police stations, immigration detention centers, and psychiatric institutions, to assess the treatment of detainees and the conditions of detention. The NPMs are granted the powers to conduct unannounced visits, speak with detainees in private, and make recommendations to improve their situation.

   The OPCAT also allows for the establishment of a United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), composed of eminent experts, to assist and cooperate with the NPMs and provide guidance on matters related to prevention of torture. The SPT also has the authority to visit and evaluate States parties' places of detention, offering suggestions and recommendations to improve their conditions and prevent human rights violations.

   Overall, the OPCAT is a significant instrument in advancing human rights and the prevention of torture globally, promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable individuals deprived of their liberty.