UN Subcommittee to Evaluate Torture Prevention Efforts in Mongolia

Geneva, The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is scheduled to revisit Mongolia from 5 to 16 May 2024 to assess the nation’s implementation of recommendations previously made in 2017. This marks the subcommittee’s second assessment visit, focusing on Mongolia’s efforts in torture prevention and the functioning of its national preventive mechanism.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Since our last visit seven years ago, the Mongolian Government has eventually designated its national preventive mechanism, which is a significant step in torture prevention,” said Elina Steinerte, head of the SPT delegation. She noted that the forthcoming visit would also aim to evaluate how Mongolian authorities have adhered to other guidance provided by the SPT over the years.

The delegation, led by Elina Steinerte and comprising members from Latvia, Georgia, Croatia, and Germany, will engage in discussions with government officials, the national torture watchdog, civil society representatives, and other UN agencies. Their goal is to gather firsthand information on the implementation of Mongolia’s national preventive mechanism and its effectiveness in preventing torture and ill-treatment.

Under its mandate, the SPT has the authority to conduct unannounced inspections of any location where individuals might be deprived of their liberty. At the conclusion of their visit, the delegation will provide the Government of Mongolia and the national preventive mechanism with confidential preliminary observations as per Article 16 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which Mongolia ratified in 2015.

A final report will be prepared for the Mongolian State party, remaining confidential unless the Mongolian authorities decide to make it public, similar to the procedure followed after the 2017 visit.

Recent Posts