Conference on Prevention of Torture in Europe, 8 May in The Hague: Register Now!

Registration is now open for the Conference on the Prevention of Torture in Europe, which the NHC organizes on 8 May, at the premises of and with the cooperation of The Hague University for Applied Sciences. The conference is held on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, an international inspection body of places of detention established under the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture. The work of the committee covers all member states of the Council of Europe.

The first session of the conference will focus on the work of the committee and its impact and examine whether and how the effectiveness of CPT’s work can be further improved. Key note speaker is Anton van Kalmthout, professor at Tilburg University and the Netherlands member of the CPT. Richard Carver from Oxford Brookes university, who is currently leading a three-year multi-country study to determine whether torture prevention works and what are the factors that reduce the risk of torture, will add his views on the work of CPT and its effectiveness. Edlira Papavangjeli of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, an NHC partner organization in prison reform work, will speak about the effects of CPT’s work in her country.

After lunch break, the outcome will be announced of the NHC student essay contest on the prevention of torture in Europe. Funding for the award money has been provided by the ASN Foundation. The morning session will be wrapped up by a panel debate. The second main conference session will look at ways other than inspection mechanisms to prevent torture such as reforming crime investigation and detention systems or increasing the consequences of their acts for perpetrators of torture. Speakers will come from academia, Amnesty International and Penal Reform International (names to be announced soon). Tini Kox and other members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will take part in a debate on the suggestions presented in this part of the speakers.

Click here to register and we will update you on the programme. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.