© UN Photo/Martine Perret FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question 1: What is a National Preventive Mechanism? National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) are bodies established in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). According to OPCAT article 3, States parties should set up, designate or maintain at domestic level one or several visiting bodies for the prevention of torture6 and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment7 (“National Preventive Mechanisms”). National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) are independent visiting bodies established at domestic level, composed of one or more bodies, for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 6 The Convention against Torture defines “torture” as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions (article 1 of CAT). 7 The Convention against Torture refers to acts of “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”, which do not amount to torture as defined in article 1, when such acts are committed by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity (article 16 of CAT). 4 I PREVENTING TORTURE: THE ROLE OF NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISMS – A PRACTICAL GUIDE