Nomination of an Irish member to the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has today announced that he is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons to apply to be considered for appointment as Ireland’s representative on the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).

The primary objective of the CPT is to prevent the ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in Europe. The CPT is composed of lawyers, medical doctors, specialists in prison or police matters etc. from the Member States and carries out its task by periodic and ad hoc visits. During these visits, the Committee has the right of unimpeded access at any time of the day or night to any place where persons are detained. Members do not visit the State in respect of which they have been elected.

Minister Flanagan said “I am pleased to invite expressions of interest from persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the CPT. 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. 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.”

Suitably qualified persons who meet the requirements for membership of the CPT are now being asked to express their interest.

Further details on eligibility criteria and how to apply are available on the Department’s website at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/CPT or at the Public Appointments Service Website.

ENDS