What is the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture?

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) is an international treaty which aims to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002 and came into force in 2007. The protocol obligates states to establish national and/or regional independent monitoring systems to prevent torture and to investigate allegations of torture and ill-treatment. In Michigan, the OPCAT has received support and endorsement from legislators, government officials, and civil society organizations alike. The Michigan Legislature enacted a law in 2018 to create a task force to evaluate the state’s compliance with the OPCAT. The task force is tasked with making recommendations to the Governor and the Michigan Legislature to ensure that the state is compliant with the OPCAT and to strengthen measures to prevent torture and ill-treatment. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights also works to promote compliance with the OPCAT. They have set up a helpline to report incidents of abuse and torture, and they have taken steps to engage with the UN Committee against Torture, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the OPCAT. Overall, the OPCAT is an important treaty that Michigan is taking steps to ensure it is compliant with. The state is working to ensure that no one is subject to torture or ill-treatment, and to create an independent monitoring system to ensure that any complaints of abuse are investigated.

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What is the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture?

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