UN Torture Prevention Body Plans New Country Visits

The SPT has completed only three country visits so far this year—to France, Mexico and Sri Lanka—less than half of its planned schedule.

The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has announced plans to visit Burundi, Paraguay and Rwanda later this year as part of its work to strengthen protections for people deprived of their liberty and prevent torture and ill-treatment. The announcement came at the close of the Subcommittee's first session of 2026, where members also warned that financial pressures within the United Nations are limiting the body's ability to carry out its full programme of work.

Budget pressures reduce monitoring visits

The SPT has completed only three country visits so far this year—to France, Mexico and Sri Lanka—less than half of its planned schedule.

According to the Subcommittee, the reduced programme reflects the impact of the UN's ongoing liquidity constraints, which have delayed its meeting schedule and resulted in the cancellation of one of its planned sessions. The countries to be visited in 2027 will be announced at a later stage.

SPT Chair María Luisa Romero said the body remains committed to preventing torture despite operating under significant financial limitations, adding that its visits and engagement with governments and national oversight bodies continue to strengthen safeguards for people in detention.

Reports completed and new guidance underway

During the session, the Subcommittee approved its visit reports on Mexico and New Zealand. The reports will soon be sent to the respective governments along with a request encouraging both countries to make the findings public.

Members also continued developing guidance for National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) on improving social reintegration, addressing the rights of children in detention and strengthening the independence of national monitoring bodies responsible for preventing torture.

The guidance is intended to help countries improve oversight of detention facilities and promote better treatment of people held in custody.

Preparing for OPCAT anniversaries

The Subcommittee also advanced plans to mark two important milestones linked to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).

The commemorations will recognise 20 years since the protocol entered into force and the establishment of the SPT, as well as 25 years since OPCAT was adopted.

Romero said the anniversaries provide an opportunity to reflect on progress made in preventing torture while encouraging governments, National Preventive Mechanisms and civil society organisations to strengthen cooperation through constructive dialogue.

Monitoring detention conditions worldwide

Under OPCAT, the SPT conducts unannounced inspections of places where people are deprived of their liberty, including prisons, police stations, psychiatric hospitals, immigration detention centres and other custodial facilities.

Alongside these visits, the Subcommittee works with governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations to improve detention conditions and strengthen measures that prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment.