For the purposes of this Convention, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted and opened for signature, on 26 June 1987. The Maldives ratified the convention on 20th April 2004. And Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was ratified on 15th February 2006.

Shortly after the ratification of the OPCAT in 2006, Maldives appointed the National Human Rights Commission as its NPM in 2007 through the means of a presidential decree. A specific NPM unit was established within the Commission and formally NPM began its mandatory work on 28th April 2008.

The convention states that each State Party shall ensure that education and information regarding the prohibition against torture are fully included in the training of law enforcement personnel, civil or military, medical personnel, public officials and other persons who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of any individual subjected to any form of arrest, detention or imprisonment.

In December 2013, after its ratification by the President of the Maldives, the Anti-Torture Act was published in the Official Gazette, based on international human rights treaties, including the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, and combining all aspects of prevention and prohibition of torture.