This year marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2002. On this occasion, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) has launched "OPCAT – 10 years of preventing torture" as a year-long campaign to highlight the important changes in law and practice around the world, brought by the global torture prevention system, and to encourage further efforts to protect rights and dignity in detention.

The idea of an international treaty to allow independent monitors to enter prisons, police stations, closed psychiatric institutions and all other places of detention was first launched in 1976 by Geneva banker and philanthropist, Jean-Jacques Gautier. Inspired by the ICRC's visits to detainees, he founded the Swiss Committee against Torture (Comité Suisse contre la torture), which would later become the APT, as a platform to promote the prevention of torture.

By joining the OPCAT, States commit to prevent torture and other ill-treatment of all persons deprived of their liberty. Today, more than 80 States have joined the OPCAT. Amongst the 15 States in Latin America who ratified the treaty, Argentina was the first in 2004. This picture was taken in 2007 by documentary photographer Stefano De Luigi, during the shoot of the movie "Norma Arrostito" directed by Cesar DíAngolillio, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Historical reconstruction, the set draws the "Escuela Superior de Mecánica de la Armada", ESMA.

Stefano De Luigi started the series entitled "Cinema Mundi" in 2006, focusing on the alternative cinematographic scene from Shanghai to Lagos passing through Moscow, Teheran, Buenos Aires, Hyderabad, and Seoul. This work was awarded by the 2008 World Press Photo contest.