Senate passing anti-torture measure

The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights is eyeing to legislate the country's compliance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

This came after Senators Francis Tolentino and Ronald dela Rosa met with the members of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture on Tuesday at the Senate in Pasay City.

Tolentino said they will start crafting a National Preventive Mechanism against Torture by next year.

The measure will comply with OPCAT, a UN Treaty to which the Philippines is a signatory. The treaty aims to prevent torture, ill-treatment, and deprivation of liberty.

"We will co-sponsor this. We already have one filed so that in January, we can run the process and comply with the requirements of the United Nations Convention Against Torture. So this is very important," Tolentino said.

He said the UN SPT delegation will assist the Senate in crafting the measure until the end of their visit on 14 December.