Hans-Jörg Bannwart is a judge and also has many years of field experience, which he gained during his missions with the International Committee of the Red Cross. He was already a member of the SPT from 2013 to 2016. His successful re-election is an expression of international recognition for the excellent work he accomplished during his first term of office. His candidacy as an independent expert was supported by the FDFA. Switzerland is thus strengthening its presence in an important international human rights body.
The prevention of torture is one of the priorities of Swiss human rights policy. Together with Costa Rica, Switzerland provided the impetus for the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which now has 82 states parties. The SPT is the international committee of OPCAT which monitors the conditions of detention and the treatment of detainees in the states parties. It also advises the states on the implementation of OPCAT and, in particular, supports the establishment and operation of national preventive mechanisms.
Further information:
Swiss presence in international organizations
Address for enquiries:
Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch