The commitment was announced on June 26, 2026, during the closing of the fourth ANPMN conference, which was held over three days in Kigali under the theme of preventing torture against women and children in places of detention.
The conference brought together experts responsible for implementing international conventions that require countries to establish measures to prevent torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in detention facilities.
Representatives from Rwanda, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Mauritania presented updates on how their respective institutions are using technology to support efforts to prevent torture and related human rights violations.
Participants noted that technology is already being used in different ways, including through social media platforms and other digital communication tools.
However, they stressed the need to further expand and strengthen the use of technology to improve the effectiveness of their work.
Members of ANPMN also agreed to implement the findings of a recent feasibility study exploring the development of a digital system that would support visits to places of detention and enhance the monitoring of compliance with human rights standards.
The proposal received broad support from participating countries. International anti-torture expert Machonova Schellongova Ivana, an expert on the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), welcomed the initiative.
“I really like it. We could launch it within a very short time it is entirely possible,” she said.
Ivana also informed participants that additional projects are being planned to expand the use of technology in communication and coordination among national preventive mechanisms.
“We are planning to strengthen technology-based data collection, establish integrated information management systems, and develop a monitoring framework to address potential risks associated with the internet,” she said.
She explained that these initiatives are expected to be implemented in 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen the effectiveness and coordination of the ANPMN network.
Ivana further revealed that plans are underway to establish a centralized digital platform that will consolidate strategies adopted across different countries, organize and store relevant information, and facilitate the exchange of experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to preventing torture.
Participants were also informed that a training session will be held on August 11, 2026, to encourage countries in Southern Africa to ratify and implement anti-torture conventions through the effective use of technology.
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