APT

To prevent is to act before the emergency

To prevent : This is the keyword of the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT). To prevent torture and ill-treatment. How? On the one hand by strengthening the implementation of international norms and principles prohibiting torture. On the other hand by helping to promote control mechanisms such as visits to places of detention.

In addition, the APT develops activities to build awareness, to inform and to train professionals having contact with detainees such as the police, judicial bodies or prison staff. Our organisation wants to be one of the motors of thinking about the prevention of serious violations of human rights and more specifically those involving torture. We likewise want to be a relay between national human rights organisations, the United Nations and other international fora.

Founded in 1977 by Jean-Jacques Gautier, the APT is an association with an international calling. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The work required to prevent torture might appear to be superhuman.

But still . . . with well-targeted programmes and clear criteria for action, it is possible to take small steps in the right direction and to stimulate others to do the same. The APT is at the origin of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment, a Convention to whose effective implementation we contribute today.

The Association is also actively committed to the adoption of a similar mechanism by the United Nations.

Currently the APT conducts five programmes covering activities in Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia and at the United Nations. We have members in more than thirty countries and maintain close ties with numerous international and national organisations.

The APT is a non-political association which avoids any form of discrimination.

The APT has consultative status with the ECOSOC of the UN and with the Council of Europe and observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

APT activities

To prevent torture and ill-treatment or punishment, the APT is committed to:

promoting legal norms banning torture
seeing to the implementation of preventive mechanisms
training
informing
promoting awareness
stimulating discussion
calling for changes in behaviour

APT missions

In order to carry out its objective of preventing torture, the APT:

takes a stand on projects discussed in international organisations
follows the work of human rights bodies
carries out and publishes thematic studies
organises seminars
takes part in conferences
fosters dialogue between national NGOs and international organisations
takes an active part in work on prevention
engages in a constructive dialogue with the police
wages a campaign for universal ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture
takes part in the establishment of national, regional and international mechanisms for visiting places of detention
trains interns

The APT collaborates with...

At the international, regional and national level, the APT carries on the fight with all persons and organisations concerned in the struggle against torture in Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

How you can support the APT

The APT is a non-governmental organisation whose funding derives to the extent of 70% from members' subscriptions as well as contributions and legacies from private persons who believe firmly in preventive action and governmental subsidies. We need you to help us achieve our objectives and combat torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

You can support us by :

Becoming a member and paying an annual subscription of CHF 100. In this way you will be one of our partners and will be regularly posted on our activities.
Making a contribution or leaving a legacy so as to guarantee the independence of the Association and the necessary means for it to fulfil its preventive mission.
Ordering our publications, which will keep you abreast of the issues concerning torture and, more specifically, the prevention of torture.
Buying the portfolio " Artists against Torture "

The APT is a recognised organisation in a number of Swiss cantons.
For example, any contribution of CHF 500 or more is tax deductible in the canton of Geneva.
Our address : APT Association for the Prevention of Torture, Rroute de Ferney 10, P.O. Box 2267,
CH - 1211 Geneva 2, Phone : 0041-22-734.20.88, Fax : 0041-22-734.56.49, e-mail : apt@apt.ch,
Bank account : UBS Geneva, Nr 279-C8117533.0

APT Board Members :

President : Marco MONA, Switzerland
Vice-president, Treasurer :Renaud GAUTIER, Switzerland
Vice-president : Walter KÄLIN, Switzerland

Members :
Maggie BEIRNE, Northern Ireland -- Daniel DUFOUR, Switzerland -- Malcolm EVANS, England -- Jacques LEDERREY, Switzerland -- Ottavia MAURICE, Italy -- Bacre W. NDIAYE, Senegal -- Maggie NICHOLSON, England -- John NOSEDA, Switzerland -- Manfred NOWAK, Austria -- Paulo Sergio PINHEIRO, Brasil -- Bernhard PRESTEL, Germany -- Jean-Pierre RESTELLINI, Switzerland -- Christian-Nils ROBERT, Switzerland -- Paz ROJAS, Chile -- Walter SUNTINGER, Austria -- Joseph VOYAME, Switzerland

Members of honour :
Catherine GAUTIER, Switzerland
Martita JÖHR - ROHR, Switzerland

Secretary General :
Claudine HAENNI, Switzerland

APT Secretariat :

Secretary General :
Claudine HAENNI, Switzerland

UN and Asia Programme :
Cecilia JIMENEZ, Philippines

Europe Programme:
Barbara BERNATH, Switzerland, France

Africa Programme :
Jean-Baptiste Niyizurugero, Rwanda

Latin America Programme :
Jean-Michel DIEZ, France, Spain

Press and Communication :
Corine BUGNON, Switzerland

Administration :
Corine BUGNON, Switzerland -- Adrian MOORE, Ireland

Documentation :
Katia LIVRON, Brasil

General Maintenance of Premises :
Kiflé ARAIA, Erythrea

For more information : www.apt.ch

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Artists against Torture
Association for the Prevention of Torture Asociación para la Prevención de la Tortura	Association pour la prévention de la torture Vereinigung für die Verhütung der Folter

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