Torture is probably one of the most common forms of human rights violations everywhere. Those held in detention frequently experience torture in many different forms. But it can be prevented. Human rights and other social justice organisations have a critical role to play in preventing torture in places of detention. But to do so effectively, a clear understanding of what is torture and the mechanisms available to prevent it is necessary. This course is designed to provide the necessary skills – and experience – to prevent torture.
This course was originally developed by Fahamu for the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights and the Association for the Prevention of Torture. It was designed to strengthen the capacity of national human rights institutions to reinforce national human rights protection systems and engage in the prevention of torture. It is also suitable for human rights and social justice organisations concerned with the prevention of torture
The course enables participants to develop an understanding of torture and ill-treatment. It considers methods of preventing torture and introduces participants to the key international and regional instruments that are concerned with torture and ill-treatment. Participants have an opportunity to examine ways of reforming laws related to torture and detention, and developing methods for training and pubic education. The skills of investigating, monitoring, and interviewing are practised through role-playing and field visits.
The course includes many exercises and assignments to help participants learn new skills. There will be a particular focus on developing the practical skills needed for monitoring places of detention and practising interviewing skills.
Course content
1 What is torture?
- Torture and ill treatment
- Understanding torture
- Torture and victims.
2 Preventing torture
- Outlining an anti-torture strategy
- Detention procedures.
3 International and regional instruments
- General standards
- The Convention on Torture
- The optional protocol
- UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
- Regional human rights mechanisms.
4 Legal and procedural reforms
- Reforming the law on torture
- Reforming detention procedures
- Defending procedure reform.
- 5 Training, public education and advocacy
- Training officials
- Promoting public awareness.
6 Monitoring
- Introduction to monitoring
- Places of detention
- Overview of monitoring
- Powers required
- Establishing a monitoring programme
- A virtual prison visit
- Following up.
7 Investigating reports of torture
- Finding evidence
- Recording evidence.
8 Interviewing
- Purpose of interviews
- When to interview
- Preparing for an interview
- How do we ask questions?
- After the interview
- Different types of interviews.
By the end of the course
Participants will be able to:
- Define torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Identify the key elements in a strategy for preventing torture
- Determine which of these are in place in their own country
- Identify and explain the key provisions of the international and regional instruments
- Relate these to the practice of their own institutions
- Identify existing preventive measures in their national law and what reform is needed
- Argue for standards for prisoners
- Create an outline for a training course for public officials on torture prevention
- Design a public awareness campaign on torture prevention
- Devise a programme to monitor places of detention to prevent torture
- Conduct a simple investigation into allegations of torture
- Prepare for an interview to gather information about torture and ill treatment
- Draft a basic statement or affidavit.
Course benefits
Every participant will be provided with course materials.
Every participant who successfully completes a course will be awarded a certificate from the University of Oxford and Fahamu.
Course length
2 weeks (currently only available as a residential course)
Audience
This course was originally designed for people working in national institutions of human rights but it is suitable for human rights and social justice organisations concerned with the prevention of torture.
Tuition fee
Contact: