In Nigeria, despite efforts by the federal government to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the enactment of a law prohibiting acts of torture in December 2017, torture continues to be frequently used by security officials. In Enugu State, police units have been accused of using torture as a means of interrogation.

In this context, ProCAT aims to reinforce and consolidate the important intervention undertaken by ASF France in the fight against torture in Nigeria since 2009. In 2019, ASF France was able to extend the project to 2 new states: Imo and Edo, thus broadening the scope of the project and reaching more victims who have had access to legal aid services.

As the harm suffered by victims of torture sometimes leads to their unjust conviction, the main challenge of the year 2020 is to integrate the defense of victims of torture into legal aid services in cases where they are prosecuted for offences based on confessions obtained under torture.

• Contributing to the reduction of acts of torture throughout the judicial chain

• Improving access to justice and legal services for victims of torture

• Strengthen the knowledge and skills of judicial authorities

• Promote better knowledge and application of the principles of the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT)

• 85 victims of torture have access to justice to obtain legal redress for torture. 20 victims out of this number are supported in filing their defense in Court;
• 1 emblematic case is taken to the ECOWAS Court to develop jurisprudence in the region on the enforcement of rights against violations committed by state security agencies;
• The NCAT Committee is strengthened through the capacity and technical support to its member to enable it effectively to fulfill its role as an NPM;
• The NCAT is supported to develop a draft Implementation Rules and Regulations for the Anti-torture Act 2017;
• Press releases and publications are published during the implementation of the project to increase the visibility of the project and the denunciation of serious human rights violations in Nigeria;

• The population is informed of its rights and knows where to report cases of torture.

• A 2 day training for 30 members of the NCAT on the Role of the NCAT as Nigeria’s national preventive Mechanism.
• A 2 day training for 30 members of the NCAT on the legal framework on torture and the development of the effective implementation of the Anti-Torture Act 2017.
• Provision of pro bono legal assistance to 85 victims of torture across 5 states in Nigeria (Lagos, Imo, Ogun, Enugu and Kaduna).
• A landmark case will be taken to the ECOWAS Court at the regional level to develop jurisprudence in the region on the enforcement of rights against violations committed by state security agencies;
• Press releases and publications will be made after each successful case to increase the visibility of the project and the denunciation of serious human rights violations in Nigeria;

THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC) AND THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION - NBA) WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTARY FUND FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE (UNVFVT), WHICH HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THE PROJECT SINCE 2014, THE LILLE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE SEINE-SAINT-DENIS BAR ASSOCIATION AND AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION.