Press Release
20 years of combating torture in Europe
Strasbourg, 20 October 2009. - During the 20 years of its existence, the
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has been at the forefront
of efforts in Europe to stamp out ill-treatment by State officials. It has
conducted some 270 visits in 47 European States, examining the situation in
thousands of places of detention. In its 19th General Report, published today,
the CPT takes stock of what has been achieved over the last two decades and
reflects on the challenges that lie ahead.
The general report recalls the gradual extension of the CPT’s field of
operations across Europe. Nevertheless, it points out that there remain certain
parts of the continent in which the Committee has not yet been able to operate,
in particular Belarus. The CPT expresses the hope that the time will soon be
ripe to extend an invitation to the Belarus authorities to accede to the
European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, by which the Committee was established.
The report stresses that successfully combating deliberate forms of
ill-treatment involves overcoming the problem of impunity, which the CPT has
encountered in many countries. In addition, it is essential to get to grips with
the phenomenon of overcrowding, which continues to blight prison systems
throughout Europe; the report emphasises that “simply building more prisons is
not the solution”. Attention is also drawn to the fundamental need for States
founded on human rights and the rule of law to remain true to these basic values
when fulfilling the obligation to protect their citizens (for example, against
acts of terrorism).
The general report provides information on the 19 visits carried out by the
CPT between August 2008 and July 2009. In particular, it explains the main
objectives of the nine ad hoc visits deemed to have been “required in the
circumstances”. The report also includes highlights from recently published
visit reports and government responses; they provide an insight into some of the
major issues which the Committee confronts during its work and the action taken
by States to address them.
In a substantive section of the general report, the CPT sets out its views on
safeguards for irregular migrants deprived of their liberty. Issues addressed
include material conditions of detention, legal safeguards and health issues.
Particular attention is paid to the principle of “non-refoulement”, as well as
to the necessity for specific safeguards for unaccompanied and separated
children.
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