Foreword This Guide is the outcome of cooperation between the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) and the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT). Torture is a grievous violation of human rights that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Its prohibition is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” The United Nations Convention against Torture also contains important provisions on the prohibition of torture, with its Optional Protocol reinforcing the obligation to prevent torture by establishing a system of regular visits to places of detention by international and national bodies. Yet while torture is prohibited under international law, its practice continues across the world. Combatting torture therefore requires the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders, including National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). As national institutions with a mandate to protect and promote human rights, NHRIs are uniquely placed to take concrete steps to prevent torture in their countries. The aim of this publication is to support and strengthen the work of NHRIs to undertake this important work. Since the first edition of the Guide was published in 2010, there have been a number of important developments in torture prevention, including those relating to NHRIs. One example is the UN Human Rights Council’s 2018 resolution on NHRIs, which reaffirms the role of NHRIs in preventing torture and other human rights abuses, encouraging them to take actions such as promoting the ratification of international human rights treaties, advocating for legal and policy reforms, and delivering education and training on torture prevention. This Guide has been updated to include these latest developments. This publication also has been updated to incorporate the gender dimensions of torture prevention. It is vital for NHRIs and other national, regional and international actors to integrate gender into their torture prevention work. This includes considering the intersectionality of identities that compound many of the risk factors associated with torture and ill-treatment. We hope that this Guide will provide a valuable overview of the key concepts in torture prevention and is a practical tool for NHRIs as they plan and undertake torture prevention activities, ensuring that such violations of human rights and affronts to human dignity can no longer take place. Rosalind Croucher Barbara Bernath Chairperson Secretary General APF APT 3