The police and the subcommittee on prevention of torture of the United Nations. National preventive mechanisms

Abstract

Despite their absolute prohibition, acts of police torture or other ill-treatment persist in many countries. More than one decade ago, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has been created, which has the power to visit police stations and other institutions all over the world, in order to support governments in fighting and preventing police abuse. In addition, the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture also introduces National Preventive Mechanisms. In this chapter, the author describes the work of the SPT and shares some experiences regarding torture prevention activities in the Republic of Macedonia.