Mecanismo Nacional de Prevención contra la Tortura y otros tratos o penas crueles, inhumanos o degradantes

Summary

The MNP is Paraguay's Optional Protocol to CAT (OPCAT) national preventive mechanism, created by Ley 4288/2011. It is governed by a six-member commission — three appointed by civil society organisations and three by state bodies (one each from Congress, the Executive, and the Supreme Court) — serving staggered five-year non-renewable terms. The MNP may visit, without prior notice and without restriction, all places where persons are deprived of liberty, including police lock-ups, military installations, and penitentiaries. It has full statutory access to information on detained persons. Recommendations are formally advisory but carry a compliance obligation with the possibility of public censure for non-compliance. The MNP has no binding disciplinary authority and no independent UOF investigation power, referring cases to prosecutors. Budget is a legislative line item in the national budget.