PREVENTION OF TORTURE & ILL-TREATMENT
INTRODUCTION
Preventing Torture. Protecting Human Dignity. Ending Impunity.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment constitute some of the gravest violations of human rights and human dignity. They are prohibited under all circumstances by international law and can never be justified, regardless of the situation or context. At the Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH), we are committed to preventing torture, protecting individuals deprived of their liberty, supporting survivors, and promoting accountability for perpetrators while strengthening systems that safeguard human dignity and the rule of law. The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme is dedicated to preventing torture and illtreatment through prevention, monitoring, documentation, advocacy, survivor support, legal engagement, institutional reform, and international cooperation. Guided by the principles of human dignity, equality, accountability, non-discrimination, and respect for international human rights standards, the programme works to eliminate torture in all places where individuals may be deprived of their liberty or otherwise placed under the control of public authorities. Our work addresses a broad range of issues related to torture prevention, including detention monitoring, police custody, prisons, military detention facilities, psychiatric institutions, immigration detention centres, juvenile justice institutions, and other places where individuals may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment. We also address enforced disappearances, deaths in custody, denial of medical care, incommunicado detention, coercive interrogation practices, and other abuses that violate the absolute prohibition of torture. Through research, monitoring, documentation, legal analysis, advocacy, survivor rehabilitation, professional training, institutional engagement, and international cooperation, CDDH promotes effective safeguards against torture while supporting justice, accountability, reparations, and guarantees of nonrecurrence.
By combining evidence-based research, strategic advocacy, independent monitoring, survivor-centred support, and international engagement, the Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme contributes to building societies where every person is protected from torture, detention is governed by the rule of law, institutions are accountable, and human dignity is respected without exception.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Preventing Torture and Strengthening Protection Against Ill-Treatment
The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme is committed to preventing torture and all forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment through a comprehensive, victim-centred, and prevention-oriented approach. CDDH believes that the absolute prohibition of torture is a fundamental principle of international law and that effective prevention requires strong legal safeguards, independent oversight, accountable institutions, and respect for the dignity of every person deprived of liberty. Our strategic priorities are designed to strengthen prevention mechanisms, protect individuals at risk, support survivors, promote accountability, and reinforce national, regional, and international efforts to eradicate torture and ill-treatment.
Our priorities include:
- Promoting the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in accordance with international human rights law.
- Strengthening independent monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty and supporting effective national preventive mechanisms.
- Preventing torture, enforced disappearance, deaths in custody, incommunicado detention, denial of medical care, and other serious abuses affecting persons deprived of liberty.
- Supporting survivors of torture through access to justice, medical care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, reparations, and long-term recovery services.
- Monitoring, documenting, and preserving evidence of torture and ill-treatment to strengthen accountability and combat impunity.
- Promoting legal, policy, and institutional reforms that reinforce safeguards against torture and strengthen detention oversight.
- Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, prison authorities, judicial institutions, healthcare professionals, and other relevant actors through education and professional training.
- Strengthening cooperation with governments, National Human Rights Institutions, United Nations mechanisms, regional organisations, civil society, and international partners to advance the prevention of torture worldwide.
Through these strategic priorities, CDDH works to strengthen prevention systems, reinforce accountability, protect individuals deprived of liberty, and ensure that survivors receive justice, rehabilitation, and effective remedies. By advancing prevention, accountability, institutional reform, and survivor-centred protection, the Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme contributes to a world where torture is never tolerated, human dignity is fully respected, and every person deprived of liberty is protected by law and treated with humanity.
AREAS OF ACTION
Preventing Torture Through Comprehensive Action
The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme works across a broad range of strategic areas to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, strengthen protection for persons deprived of liberty, support survivors, and promote accountability for perpetrators. Through research, monitoring, documentation, advocacy, legal engagement, institutional reform, survivor rehabilitation, professional training, and international cooperation, CDDH develops practical, evidencebased solutions that address both the immediate risks of torture and the systemic factors that allow it to persist.
Our principal areas of action include:
Prevention and Safeguards
Promoting effective legal, institutional, and procedural safeguards that prevent torture from occurring, including access to legal counsel, judicial oversight, independent medical examinations, prompt registration of detention, and respect for due process from the very beginning of deprivation of liberty.
Monitoring Places of Deprivation of Liberty
Supporting independent monitoring and regular inspections of prisons, police stations, military detention facilities, immigration detention centres, psychiatric institutions, juvenile detention facilities, and all other places where individuals may be deprived of their liberty, in accordance with international standards.
Documentation and Investigation
Monitoring, documenting, verifying, and preserving evidence of torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, deaths in custody, denial of medical care, and other serious violations to strengthen accountability, legal action, institutional reform, and evidence-based advocacy.
Survivor Rehabilitation and Support
Promoting comprehensive rehabilitation for survivors of torture through medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, social reintegration, education, vocational opportunities, and access to effective remedies, recognising that recovery requires long-term, multidisciplinary support.
Justice, Accountability and Ending Impunity
Promoting independent investigations, effective prosecutions, fair judicial proceedings, reparations for victims, institutional accountability, and guarantees of non-recurrence to ensure that torture is never tolerated and perpetrators are held accountable.
Training, Institutional Reform and International Cooperation
Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, prison authorities, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant actors through professional training, policy dialogue, institutional reform, and cooperation with national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms to strengthen torture prevention systems.
Together, these areas of action enable CDDH to address torture through prevention, protection, rehabilitation, accountability, and systemic reform while reinforcing respect for human dignity and the absolute prohibition of torture. Through strategic partnerships, evidence-based research, independent monitoring, survivor-centred support, and international cooperation, the Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme contributes to a world where torture is prevented, survivors are supported, institutions are accountable, and every individual is treated with dignity, humanity, and respect
OUR APPROACH
A Prevention and Survivor-Centred Approach to Ending Torture
The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme adopts a comprehensive, prevention-oriented, survivor-centred, and rights-based approach to eliminating torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. CDDH recognises that torture is not only a grave violation of human rights but also a serious crime under international law that requires effective prevention, independent oversight, accountability, and comprehensive support for survivors. Our approach combines prevention, independent monitoring, documentation, investigation, legal analysis, advocacy, survivor rehabilitation, institutional reform, professional training, strategic litigation, policy engagement, and international cooperation. By integrating these complementary areas of work, we address both the immediate risks faced by persons deprived of liberty and the structural conditions that enable torture and impunity to persist.
Through this programme, we:
- Promote the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in accordance with international human rights law.
- Monitor, document, and investigate allegations of torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, deaths in custody, denial of medical care, and related human rights violations.
- Strengthen independent monitoring of all places of deprivation of liberty and support effective preventive oversight mechanisms.
- Support survivors through access to medical care, psychological rehabilitation, legal assistance, education, vocational opportunities, social reintegration, reparations, and other comprehensive recovery services.
- Promote independent investigations, accountability, strategic litigation, and effective remedies to combat impunity and ensure justice for victims.
- Strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, prison authorities, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant actors through education and specialised professional training.
- Support legal, policy, and institutional reforms that reinforce safeguards against torture and strengthen national prevention systems.
- Engage with governments, National Human Rights Institutions, United Nations mechanisms, regional organisations, civil society, and international partners to strengthen global efforts to prevent torture and protect human dignity.
Our work is guided by the principles of human dignity, independence, impartiality, accountability, confidentiality, non-discrimination, transparency, and respect for international human rights standards. We are committed to ensuring that every intervention prioritises prevention, victim protection, accountability, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-recurrence. Through this integrated approach, CDDH contributes to a world where torture is prevented, places of detention are subject to independent oversight, survivors receive comprehensive support, perpetrators are held accountable, and every individual is protected from torture and ill-treatment without exception.
DVANCING THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE & ILL-TREATMENT
Preventing Torture. Protecting Human Dignity. Ensuring Accountability.
At the Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH), we believe that torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment can never be justified under any circumstances. Preventing torture is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative. It requires strong institutions, independent oversight, effective safeguards, survivor-centred support, and unwavering accountability for perpetrators. The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme is designed to create lasting impact by preventing torture before it occurs, protecting individuals deprived of their liberty, supporting survivors, strengthening accountability, and promoting systemic reforms that eliminate the conditions enabling torture and impunity. Through evidence-based action and strategic engagement, we work to transform international standards into practical measures that safeguard human dignity and reinforce the rule of law.
Through this programme, we seek to:
- Promote the effective implementation of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in accordance with international human rights law.
- Strengthen independent monitoring and oversight of all places of deprivation of liberty through effective national and international preventive mechanisms.
- Prevent torture, enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, deaths in custody, denial of medical care, and other forms of abuse affecting persons deprived of their liberty.
- Support survivors through comprehensive medical care, psychological rehabilitation, legal assistance, education, vocational opportunities, social reintegration, reparations, and long-term recovery services.
- Strengthen documentation, forensic investigation, evidence preservation, and strategic litigation to combat impunity and secure justice for victims.
- Promote legal, policy, and institutional reforms that reinforce safeguards against torture and strengthen detention systems based on human rights.
- Build the capacity of law enforcement agencies, prison authorities, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant actors through specialised education and professional training.
- Strengthen cooperation with governments, National Human Rights Institutions, United Nations mechanisms, regional organisations, civil society, and international partners to advance the global prevention of torture.
Our impact extends beyond responding to individual cases. By strengthening prevention systems, reinforcing accountability, supporting survivors, and promoting institutional reform, CDDH contributes to societies where torture is prevented, human dignity is respected, public institutions operate lawfully, and every person deprived of liberty is treated with humanity. Through research, independent monitoring, documentation, advocacy, strategic litigation, survivor rehabilitation, institutional engagement, and international cooperation, the Prevention of Torture & IllTreatment Programme works toward a future where torture is eradicated, survivors receive justice and comprehensive support, and the absolute prohibition of torture is fully respected in law and in practice.
WORKING WITH PARTNERS
Building Partnerships to Prevent Torture and Protect Human Dignity
The Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH) believes that preventing torture requires strong partnerships based on independence, expertise, accountability, and shared responsibility. Governments, National Human Rights Institutions, independent monitoring bodies, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, legal experts, survivors, and international organisations all play essential roles in preventing torture, protecting persons deprived of liberty, supporting survivors, and ensuring accountability. The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme works with a broad network of national, regional, and international partners to strengthen torture prevention systems, improve detention oversight, promote institutional reform, support survivors, and reinforce accountability for torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Our partners may include:
National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) and independent detention monitoring bodies.
- National Human Rights Institutions.
- United Nations agencies, Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies, and regional human rights mechanisms.
- Governments, ministries of justice, prison administrations, police oversight bodies, and other public institutions.
- Civil society organisations working on torture prevention, detention monitoring, and prisoners' rights.
- Medical professionals, psychologists, rehabilitation centres, and forensic experts. - Judges, prosecutors, lawyers, bar associations, and strategic litigation partners.
- Universities, research institutes, and academic institutions.
- Survivors' organisations, victims' associations, and community-based organisations.
- Development agencies, philanthropic foundations, humanitarian organisations, and international donor partners.
Through these partnerships, CDDH promotes independent monitoring, joint documentation, forensic expertise, survivor rehabilitation, legal assistance, strategic litigation, policy dialogue, professional training, institutional capacity building, technical cooperation, and international advocacy to strengthen the global prevention of torture. Every partnership is guided by independence, impartiality, confidentiality, transparency, accountability, professionalism, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to the absolute prohibition of torture. By working together, CDDH contributes to stronger prevention mechanisms, more accountable institutions, effective rehabilitation services, and a world where every individual is protected from torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
LOOKING AHEAD
Towards a World Free from Torture
The Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH) remains firmly committed to the global eradication of torture and all other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. While important international legal standards have been established, torture continues to occur in places of detention, during law enforcement operations, in situations of armed conflict, and in other contexts where individuals are deprived of their liberty or placed under the control of public authorities. Addressing these challenges requires stronger prevention systems, greater institutional accountability, and sustained international cooperation. Looking ahead, the Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme will continue to strengthen prevention strategies, reinforce independent oversight of places of deprivation of liberty, support survivors, and promote systemic reforms that eliminate the conditions allowing torture and ill-treatment to occur.
Our future priorities include:
- Strengthening the implementation of international standards prohibiting torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Expanding independent monitoring of all places of deprivation of liberty and reinforcing the effectiveness of National Preventive Mechanisms and other oversight bodies.
- Promoting the full implementation of the and the .
- Advancing survivor-centred rehabilitation through integrated medical, psychological, legal, educational, vocational, and social support services.
- Strengthening forensic documentation, independent investigations, strategic litigation, and accountability mechanisms to combat impunity.
- Supporting legal, policy, and institutional reforms that reinforce safeguards against torture and improve detention systems.
- Investing in specialised training for law enforcement officials, prison personnel, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant actors.
- Expanding international cooperation, research, innovation, and evidence-based advocacy to strengthen global torture prevention efforts.
Our vision is a future where every person deprived of liberty is treated with dignity and humanity, every allegation of torture is investigated promptly and independently, survivors receive justice and comprehensive rehabilitation, and institutions operate with transparency, accountability, and full respect for the rule of law. Through strategic leadership, international cooperation, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, CDDH will continue working to eliminate torture, strengthen prevention systems, support survivors, end impunity, and promote societies where the absolute prohibition of torture is fully respected in law and in practice.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Continue Exploring Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment
The Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment Programme reflects CDDH's commitment to preventing torture, protecting persons deprived of liberty, supporting survivors, and strengthening accountability for one of the most serious violations of human rights. Through prevention, independent monitoring, documentation, legal action, survivor rehabilitation, institutional reform, and international cooperation, we work to ensure that the absolute prohibition of torture is respected in law and in practice. We invite you to explore our related programmes and discover how they complement our efforts to prevent torture, combat impunity, protect victims, and strengthen justice and accountability
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Documentation & Investigations
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Accountability & Transitional Justice
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Together, these programmes demonstrate CDDH's integrated approach to preventing torture through early prevention, independent monitoring, survivor rehabilitation, documentation, strategic litigation, accountability, institutional reform, and international cooperation. By connecting these complementary areas of work, CDDH contributes to a world where torture is prevented, survivors are supported, perpetrators are held accountable, and every individual is treated with dignity, humanity, and respect.