The South African Human Rights Commission hosts the Conference of the African National Preventive Mechanisms Network

24 June 2024

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) invites members of the media to the second annual conference of the African National Preventive Mechanisms Network (African NPM Network).

The first conference was held in Marrakech in June 2023 and focused on the practices of National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) in Africa. It brought together African NPMs, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), experts, and representatives of international organisations to examine existing legal and institutional frameworks in Africa to identify current and emerging practices related to the mandates of NPMs and explore ways to address the challenges they are facing. Similarly, the conference aimed to encourage technical assistance, promote best practices, and strengthen the capacities of NPMs in Africa.

Importantly, the participants agreed to establish the African National Preventive Mechanisms Network to serve as a peer network for national preventive mechanisms in Africa.

The second conference of the African NPMs Network will be held in Cape Town, South Africa on 26 – 27 June 2024. Conference participants will include African NPMs, national human rights institutions, as well as other regional and international mechanisms such as the United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture, United Nations Committee Against Torture, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and representatives of national, regional, and international non-governmental organisations.

The second conference will adopt the Statutes of the African NPMs Network, commemorate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The conference will be held as follows:

Dates: 26 – 27 June 2024

Venue: The Capital, 15 on Orange, Cape Town, South Africa

Start Time: 09H00 both days

National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) are independent visiting bodies established at the domestic level, composed of one or more bodies, to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment through regular visits to places where persons are deprived of their liberty as envisaged under the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

For further information or inquiries, please contact Wisani Baloyi on 081 016 8308 or wbaloyi@sahrc.org.za.

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission