Association for Prevention of Torture

What Association for Prevention of Torture does

The Association for Prevention of Torture (APT) is an independent, international non-governmental organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to prevent torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty worldwide, working through capacity building, advocacy, research, and knowledge dissemination. APT serves a defined ecosystem of National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), governments, UN bodies, and civil society organizations across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa, with active engagement in 40+ countries.

APT's product portfolio centers on knowledge infrastructure and specialized monitoring platforms. Core assets include the Detention Focus Database (a unique database on human rights in prisons), the NPM Toolkit (practical resources for national preventive mechanisms), the OPCAT Database (country-level ratification and implementation data), the Torture Prevention Village e-learning platform, the Mapping Torture Prevention interactive tool, and the Observa Custódia platform covering 71 custody-hearing units in Brazil. The organization has published more than 300 resources in multiple languages and developed thematic products including the Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing, the #SafeInCustody project for Southeast Asia, the Global Report on Women in Prison drawing on NPM data from 46 countries, and country-specific guides such as the Judicial Inspections Manual for Brazil and the Monitoring Guide for Police Custody in Chile.

APT is funded primarily through donations and institutional grants from governments (Government of Canada, European Union, City of Geneva, UK Government), foundations (Taiwan Foundation for Democracy), and individual donors. All publications, tools, and platforms are distributed free of charge to support global torture-prevention work. The organization is structured as a Swiss non-profit association with 11-50 employees, led by a Secretary General and senior advisers covering oversight, vulnerabilities and policy, and regional representation for Asia-Pacific and Brazil. Governance is independent, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or commercial ownership.

Name

Association for Prevention of Torture

Legal name

Association for Prevention of Torture

Website

https://apt.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APT is a Geneva-based independent international NGO founded in 1977 that works globally to prevent torture and ill-treatment, serving National Preventive Mechanisms, National Human Rights Institutions, governments, and civil society through knowledge products, capacity building, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Human Rights Advocacy and Torture Prevention Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Democracy, Human Rights & Governance Assistance (BPADABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations (HLAJAKAN)

Keywords

• Torture prevention advocacy
• Human rights monitoring
• Detention oversight tools
• OPCAT implementation support
• NPM capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: APT operates primarily through donations from individuals and organizations committed to torture prevention. The organization encourages donations through its website to support ongoing global torture prevention work.
2. Government and Institutional Grants: APT receives financial support from governments and international organizations including the Government of Canada, the City of Geneva, and the European Union for specific projects and reports.
3. Publication Sales and Licensing: APT publishes over 300 resources available in multiple languages, potentially generating revenue through distribution of materials.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

APT is an independent international NGO that prevents torture and ill-treatment worldwide by supporting National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), governments, and civil society through capacity building, advocacy, and specialized knowledge resources. It develops and disseminates databases, monitoring tools, e-learning platforms, country-specific guides, and international standards (e.g., Méndez Principles) to strengthen preventive monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty under OPCAT. Its work is funded largely by donations and grants, with resources provided free of charge to oversight bodies and practitioners globally.

Product overview

The Association for Prevention of Torture (APT) operates a portfolio of interconnected tools and resources focused on torture prevention globally. The core offerings include knowledge management platforms (Detention Focus Database, NPM Toolkit, OPCAT Database), educational resources (Torture Prevention Village e-learning platform, Publications Library with 300+ resources), and specialized monitoring tools (Observa Custódia for Brazil custody hearings). Key initiatives include the #SafeInCustody project for Southeast Asia, the Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing for law enforcement reform, and country-specific manuals and guides (Judicial Inspections Manual for Brazil, Monitoring Guide for Chile). These products work together to provide oversight bodies, governments, and civil society with evidence-based tools for preventing torture in places of deprivation of liberty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Detention Focus Database A unique database providing comprehensive information on human rights in prisons and vulnerabilities of detainees, used by NPMs, oversight bodies, and practitioners as a knowledge resource for torture-prevention work.
• NPM Toolkit Practical advice and resources for National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) to carry out their torture-prevention mandates effectively.
• OPCAT Database Database providing key information on ratification and implementation status of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) by country.
• Torture Prevention Village (E-learning Platform) E-learning platform providing educational resources and training materials on torture prevention for professionals and stakeholders.
• Publications Library Comprehensive library of more than 300 publications on torture prevention including guides, manuals, reports, factsheets, and infographics in multiple languages, made freely available through APT's Knowledge Hub.
• Mapping Torture Prevention Interactive mapping tool showing torture-prevention activities and initiatives across different regions and countries.
• Observa Custódia Platform Platform led by APT offering greater transparency and accountability to Brazil's criminal justice system by providing information and tools for external monitoring of judicial practices, particularly custody hearings.
• #SafeInCustody Project Multi-country project partnership that reduces risks of torture and ill-treatment during police custody in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, including an online game and manifesto.
• Méndez Principles (Principles on Effective Interviewing) International principles on effective interviewing for investigations and information gathering, designed to end accusatory, coercive and confession-driven practices and prevent torture during interrogations.
• Judicial Inspections Manual (Brazil) Comprehensive manual co-developed with Brazil's National Council of Justice (CNJ) equipping Brazilian judges with practical tools and methodology for conducting effective, rights-based inspections of places of deprivation of liberty.
• Monitoring Guide for the Prevention of Torture in Police Custody (Chile) Systematic monitoring guide developed with Chile's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and Carabineros de Chile to ensure rights protection in police custody, the first of its kind in Latin America.
• Police Custody Guide (Madagascar) User's guide to custody registers and practical information on basic rights and detention safeguards in police custody in Madagascar.

Quantifiable outcome

• Global Report on Women in Prison analyzed data from 46 countries' NPMs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Brazil's National Council of Justice (CNJ) and Programa Fazendo JustiçacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Three-year joint effort to develop comprehensive manual for judicial inspections in places of deprivation of liberty. The manual provides practical tools and methodology for Brazilian judges to carry out effective, systematic, and rights-based inspections of detention facilities.
• Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Civil society partner in #SafeInCustody project to reduce risks of torture and ill-treatment during police custody in Malaysia. SUARAM contributed to advocacy, training, and awareness raising on torture prevention.
• Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Civil society partner in #SafeInCustody project to reduce risks of torture during police custody in Philippines. TFDP participated in regional activities and advocacy efforts.
• Cross-Cultural Foundation (CrCF) of ThailandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Civil society partner in #SafeInCustody project supporting torture prevention work in Thailand, including participation in regional conference and manifesto development.
• Observa Custódia Partners (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IDDD, Conectas Human Rights, Asa Branca Criminologia, GAJOP, Pro Bono Institute, Iser, Global Justice, Network of Communities and Movements Against Violence, Criminal Justice Network, Public Defender of São Paulo, Public Defender of Rio de Janeiro, and Condege for monitoring custody hearings in Brazil.
• Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChilean NPM collaborated with APT and Carabineros de Chile to develop pioneering Monitoring Guide for police custody, the first systematic approach in Latin America for preventive monitoring.
• Carabineros de ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChilean police force collaborated with CPT and APT to develop the Monitoring Guide, demonstrating constructive engagement between monitors and law enforcement.
• Penal Reform InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project on detention monitoring, including development of Detention Monitoring Tools for body searches, women in detention, and other thematic areas.
• Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPT facilitates Knowledge Exchange sessions at GANHRI's Annual Meeting, supporting over 90 NHRIs to share experiences and strengthen torture prevention capacities.
• International Ombudsman InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized three-day workshop with APT and Norwegian Parliamentary Ombudsman on preventive monitoring in mental health institutions, bringing together 30+ NPMs and ombudsman institutions.
• Norwegian Parliamentary OmbudsmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost and co-organizer with APT and International Ombudsman Institute of workshop on preventive monitoring in mental health institutions.
• African Network of National Preventive MechanismscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPT supports the African NPM Network, which held its third conference in Praia, Cabo Verde with 14 officially designated African NPMs participating. The network advances torture prevention across the continent.
• UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner in African NPM Network conference, contributing to discussions on digital transformation and torture prevention.
• Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized regional workshop in Bangkok for 8 Asian NHRIs to strengthen capacity and commitment to prevent torture, with funding from Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
• Human Rights Commission of RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPT provides capacity building support to Rwanda's NPM department, including training on monitoring police custody, Istanbul Protocol, and fostering constructive engagement with authorities.
• International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with APT to deliver workshop on Istanbul Protocol and investigating allegations of torture in Rwanda.
• Togo National Human Rights Commission (CNDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPT works with Togo's NPM to address pre-trial detention through workshops, camp courts, and advocacy for legal reforms.
• African Police Oversight Forum (APCOF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with APT on promoting Luanda Guidelines and Africa Pre-trial Detention Day advocacy efforts.
• South African Human Rights CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted national roundtable on Bangkok Rules implementation with APT and European Union, bringing together government, oversight institutions, and civil society.
• Niger National Human Rights Commission (CNDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPT supports establishment of NPM within Niger's CNDH, providing technical guidance on structure, operations, and monitoring methodologies.
• COGINTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss NGO actively supporting restructuring and planning processes within Niger's CNDH as part of NPM establishment efforts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): ICRC conducts detention visits and engages on humane treatment of prisoners under international humanitarian law. It is a much larger incumbent in detention-related work, with comparable but distinct legal foundations.
• Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on torture, detention conditions, and criminal justice globally. It is a broader human rights incumbent whose research outputs and country engagement overlap with APT's thematic focus.
• Amnesty International: Amnesty International is the broadest human rights NGO, conducting detention monitoring and torture-related reporting worldwide. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping subject matter but much wider mandate and scale than APT.

Regional players

• African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF): APCOF advances police accountability and oversight across Africa, including through the Luanda Guidelines. It is a named APT partner addressing torture and ill-treatment in policing, with comparable prevention objectives in a regional scope.
• Conectas Human Rights: Conectas is a Brazilian human rights NGO collaborating with APT on the Observa Custódia platform. It is a regional peer focused on detention oversight and justice accountability in Latin America.

Direct peers

• Penal Reform International: PRI works on detention reform and criminal justice globally, with thematic overlap on torture prevention and vulnerable detainees. APT and PRI have jointly produced detention monitoring tools, signaling close operational and substantive alignment.
• REDRESS: REDRESS pursues legal accountability and reparations for torture survivors while engaging on prevention and standards. It operates in the same thematic space with comparable advocacy and international-law focus.
• International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT): IRCT is a global network focused on torture rehabilitation, documentation, and prevention. It is one of APT's named partners in Istanbul Protocol training and shares the torture-prevention thematic mandate.
• DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture: DIGNITY provides torture rehabilitation, research, and prevention programming globally, mirroring APT's prevention and capacity-building focus. It is a directly comparable specialist anti-torture organization.

Others

• Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF): APF is a regional network of NHRIs in Asia-Pacific and a direct APT convening partner. It is comparable as an ecosystem enabler for capacity building and torture prevention training across the region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association for Prevention of Torture