UN to investigate torture and ill-treatment in Portugal’s prisons

The United Nations has dispatched members of its Prevention of Torture committee to make their first ever inspection of Portugal’s prisons and check if inmates have any protection against torture and ill-treatment.

The inspectors are due to visit prisons, police stations, correctional facilities for women and juveniles, and some of Portugal’s psychiatric institutions.

The experts will meet government officials and Portugal’s own national monitoring body, the ‘national preventive mechanism’ or NPM of Portugal, as well as charity workers.

“During our visit we will address the current situation of people deprived of their liberty in Portugal,” said Nora Sveaass, heading the delegation which will be working from May 1st to 10th.

“We will discuss with the authorities steps Portugal needs to take to effectively prevent torture and ill-treatment of people in detention, which is an integral part of the country’s full implementation of its treaty obligations.”