The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is embarking on its inaugural visit to the State of Palestine from September 10 to 21. This mission aims to evaluate the measures in place to safeguard individuals deprived of liberty from torture and ill-treatment.

Furthermore, the SPT will provide guidance to the Palestinian Authorities regarding the establishment of a national preventive mechanism (NPM), a vital monitoring entity that all States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) are obligated to institute.

Daniel Fink, the leader of the SPT delegation, expressed anticipation, stating, "We look forward to finally being able to visit the State of Palestine to provide advice to the Authorities on the establishment of an NPM, which is overdue; we will also examine the situation in detention facilities and how Authorities are implementing their obligations to prevent torture and ill-treatment and provide adequate conditions of detention."

The delegation's agenda encompasses meetings with high-ranking authorities, judicial, administrative, and security bodies. Additionally, they will visit detention facilities and engage with both detainees and staff.

During their visit, the SPT delegation will tour various locations within the territory, including prisons, police stations, and other facilities under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authorities. At the conclusion of their visit, the SPT will present its confidential preliminary findings to the Government of Palestine.

It's important to note that the SPT is mandated to visit all States that are parties to the OPCAT, and the State of Palestine ratified the OPCAT on December 29, 2017.

The SPT delegation consists of Daniel Fink, head of Delegation (Switzerland), Abdallah Ounnir (Morocco), Carmen Comas-Mata Mira (Spain), and Hamida Dridi (Tunisia). The delegation will be accompanied by two human rights officers from the SPT Secretariat.