[Press Release] Filipino doctor elected to key UN anti-torture committee -MAG

Filipino doctor elected to key UN anti-torture committee Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez has been elected among the twelve new members of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) for 2012 to 2016, to serve as expert in monitoring detention conditions in more than 60…

Human Rights Online Philippines

October 28, 2012

2–3 minutes

Degrading Treatment, Human Right, Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Pagaduan-Lopez, Philippine, SPT, Torture, torture survivors, United Nations, University of the Philippines

Filipino doctor elected to key UN anti-torture committee

Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez has been elected among the twelve new members of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) for 2012 to 2016, to serve as expert in monitoring detention conditions in more than 60 sixty countries worldwide.

The Medical Action Group (MAG), of which Dr. Pagaduan-Lopez is one of the founders, welcomed her election, saying “this will considerably strengthen the mandate of the SPT in torture prevention particularly in the field of mental health rehabilitation of torture survivors and their families.”

Dr. Pagaduan-Lopez, is a professor at the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines-Manila.

MAG said, “for many years, Dr. Pagaduan-Lopez’ capabilities and outstanding commitment in linking her profession as a psychiatrist to the promotion and defense of human rights particularly in rehabilitation of torture survivors, will enable her to make a valuable contribution to the work of the SPT and the prevention of torture in the country and worldwide.”

The Philippines became the 63rd State Party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) on April 17, 2012.

The SPT has a preventive mandate focused on an innovative, sustained and proactive approach to the prevention of torture and ill treatment.

The election was held at the fourth meeting of States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) was held on 25 October 2012, at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/opcat/elections2012.htm

Other experts who were elected are from Switzerland, United Kingdom, Argentina, New Zealand, Lebanon, Serbia, Mauritius, Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany and Republic of Moldova.

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