The  European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) is a monitoring body envisaged by the 1987 Convention of the same name, designed to complement the Art. 3 ECHR provision enshrining the absolute prohibition of torture.

The CPT is a body of independent experts and has one member from each state party to the Convention for the Prevention of Torture (like Italy, all CoE member states are parties). The members of the CPT are elected by the Committee of Ministers.

The Committee’s main function is to verify by means of visits the treatment of people deprived of their freedom in order to strengthen, if necessary, their protection against torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Art. 1). At the end of each visit the CPT draws a detailed report and sends it to the State visited, to which it requests a response in relation to any critical issues raised in it. The CPT’s action is based on the principles of cooperation with national authorities and confidentiality. Its reports and governments’ replies are initially confidential and only later, with the approval of the country concerned, are they made public along with the replies and observations provided by the national authorities.