On 1st October 2026, in Geneva, Latvian human rights expert Dr Elīna Šteinerte was re-elected to the United Nations’ Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) for the 2027–2030 term.
The UN SPT is the largest UN human rights treaty-monitoring body, comprising 25 independent experts. The Subcommittee’s task is to monitor conditions of detention and the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, as well as to advise and assist States in implementing the OPCAT in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The Latvian representative will continue her work by providing expertise and contributing to the resolution of human rights issues, monitoring and the development of international standards on the prevention of torture.
“This re-election confirms Dr Šteinerte’s high professional standing, expertise and significant contribution to the international human rights system. By continuing her work on the SPT, the Latvian representative will provide expertise on issues relating to the protection of human rights and the prevention of torture, promote the development of international standards and monitor the fulfilment of States’ obligations under the OPCAT,” said a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Representatives from 22 countries stood for election to the 13 vacant expert positions. Alongside the Latvian representative, experts from Chile, Croatia, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Lebanon, Montenegro, Moldova, Peru, Togo, Ukraine and Uruguay were elected.
Dr Elīna Šteinerte is an internationally recognised human rights expert with extensive professional experience within the UN and other international organisations. She has been working on issues relating to the implementation of the OPCAT since 2006. On 20 October 2022, in Geneva, Dr Šteinerte was elected to the SPT for the first time, for the 2023–2026 term.