A call has gone out for a candidate to represent Ireland on the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan is seeking expressions of interest for the oversight role.

Objective

The primary objective of the CPT is to prevent the ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in Europe.

Staffed by lawyers, medical doctors and policing and prison specialists, the CPT carries out periodic and ad hoc unannounced visits.

It has the right of unimpeded access at any time of the day or night to any place of detention.

Swoops

However, committee members disqualify themselves from swoops in their home state.

Members do not visit the State in respect of which they have been elected.

Minister Flanagan said “This public invitation process attracted a huge number of high calibre candidates when it took place in 2014 and I hope that we have the same level of engagement this time around.

Unique

“This is a unique opportunity to serve one of the most important and effective European committees and I would encourage any person interested in contributing to our work in this important area to consider applying for this position.”

Further details are available at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/CPT