Section 2: Interpretation

2. Interpretation In this Act— “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Commission; “Commission” means the National Human Rights Commission established under the Protection of Human Rights Act; “Deputy Chairperson” means the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission who is assigned to the Division; “Division” means the National Preventive Mechanism Division referred to in section 3; “Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for the subject of human rights is assigned; “Optional Protocol” means the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 18 December 2002 and acceded to by the Government of Mauritius on 21 June 2005; “place of detention”— (a) means any place where a person is or may be deprived of his liberty by virtue of an order given by a public authority or at its instigation or with its acquiescence; N21A – 1 [Issue 5] National Preventive Mechanism Act (b) includes a police cell, a prison, a Correctional Youth Centre, a Rehabilitation Youth Centre and a mental health care centre; “Subcommittee” means the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the Committee against Torture, established under the Optional Protocol.