Australia’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) requires the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).
An NPM is an independent oversight mechanism focused on preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (ill-treatment) primarily by monitoring and inspecting places of detention.
People with disability are significantly over-represented in places of detention and experience much higher rates of all forms of violence, torture and ill-treatment. In this position paper, DPO Australia argue that the NPM must be disability inclusive to prevent disability based detention and to prevent torture and ill-treatment perpetrated against people with disability in places of detention.
The Position Paper outlines key issues and recommendations to ensure that Australia’s NPM is strongly disability inclusive.
Download position paper: