"Since the proclamation in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international instruments condemning torture have multiplied. Nevertheless, far from receding, this scourge has spread like a cancer in a large number of States of all political tendencies in all continents. At present, an international Convention against torture is in process of elaboration within the United Nations. There is no indication that it will be accompanied by the necessary provisions to ensure its implementation. An original and realistic proposal was launched four years ago by a Geneva lawyer, Jean-Jacques Gautier, who obtained the support of a number of Swiss and international experts. In 1978 the International Commission of Jurists adopted this idea and turned it into a Draft Optional Protocol, which is published in this booklet. In March 1980, the Government of Costa Rica submitted it formally to the UN Commission. In short, it proposes that, in order to ensure that the Convention Against Torture is really enforced, the States Parties undertake to authorize a Committee established under the Protocol to visit freely all places of detention within their territory. It is thus a procedure for prevention rather than for condemnation. This idea, inspired by the experience of the International Committee of the Red Cross, is making gradual progress. The creation of this new weapon in the campaign against torture is supported, in this booklet, by some personalities of world-wide renown."--Page 4 of cover.