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Press Release

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture: Publication of the report on the visit to Andorra in 1998 and of the responses of the Andorran Government

STRASBOURG, 20.07.2000 - The Andorran Government has requested the publication of the report of the COUNCIL OF EUROPE’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on the visit to Andorra in May 1998 and of its responses.

Under Article 11 of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the information gathered by the Committee in relation to a visit, its report and its consultattions with the State concerned are confidential. However, the State concerned may decide to lift the rule of confidentiality provided for in the Convention.

The CPT's visit to Andorra was carried out from 27 to 29 May 1998, within the framework of the Committee's programme of periodic visits for 1998. The CPT's delegation visited the following places of detention:

Police establishments

- Police Headquarters, Andorra la Vella

- Police Station, Pas de la Casa

Prisons

- La Cornella Prison, Andorra la Vella

- Casa de la Vall Prison, Andorra la Vella

The CPT was set up under the 1987 European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. All 41 member States of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia (as from 1 October 2000), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The CPT is composed of persons from a variety of backgrounds: lawyers, doctors, prison experts, persons with parliamentary experience, etc.

The Committee’s task is to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. For this purpose, it is entitled to visit any place where such persons are held by a public authority. It may formulate recommendations to strengthen, if necessary, their protection against torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The CPT organises periodic visits as well as other visits which appear to it be required in the circumstances.

The CPT's report on its visit to Andorra in 1998 (37 pages) and the responses of the Andorran Government (30 pages) can be obtained from:

• the CPT’s Internet Site: www.cpt.coe.int

• the Council of Europe Press Department:
  Sabine ZIMMER/Cathie BURTON tél. +33/(0)3 88 41 25 97/28 93 ; fax +33/(0)3 88 41 27 90 ; e-mail pressunit@coe.int

• the CPT’s Secretariat:
  tel. +33/(0)3.88.41.23.88; fax: +33/(0)3.88.41.27.72; e-mail cptdoc@coe.int

A 3 page summary of the CPT's main findings can be faxed upon request.