By: InterAksyon.com
October 26, 2012 3:01 PM
Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez, a professor at the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines-Manila, was selected to be part of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) from 2012 to 2016.
Lopez will serve as an expert in monitoring detention conditions around the world, said the Medical Action Group (MAG), a non-government organization which she helped establish.
Lopez’s election 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,” the MAG said in a statement.
“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 MAG said.
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.
Other elected experts are from Switzerland, United Kingdom, Argentina, New Zealand, Lebanon, Serbia, Mauritius, Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany and Republic of Moldova.