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Press Release

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture : 
Publication of the report on the visit to Austria and of the comments of the Republic of Austria

STRASBOURG, 31.10.96 - The Government of the Republic of Austria has decided to make public the report of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on its visit to Austria in 1994 and the comments drawn up by the Republic of Austria in response to the CPT's report.

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 consultations with the State concerned are confidential. However, the State concerned may agree to lift the rule of confidentiality provided for in the Convention. The CPT's visit to Austria was carried out from 26 September to 7 October 1994 ; it was the Committee's second periodic visit to Austria (the first having taken place from 20 to 27 May 1990). The CPT's delegation visited the following places of detention:

Establishments under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior

• Klagenfurt Police Jail
• Schwechat Police Jail
• Vienna Police Jail
• Villach Police Jail
• Favoriten Police Station (Vienna, 10th district)
• Simmering Police Station (Vienna, 11th district)
• Penzing Police Station (Vienna, 14th district)
• Schmelz Police Station (Vienna, 15th district)
• Security Bureau of the 2nd Division of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Federal Directorate of the Vienna Police
• Police Stations at Schwechat International Airport
• Pörtschach am Wörthersee Gendarmerie Station

Establishments under the authority of the Ministry of Justice

• Stein Prison
• Schwarzau Prison

In addition, a number of detained persons were interviewed and specific matters were examined at Wien-Josefstadt Prison.

The CPT was set up under the 1987 European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The following member States of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

The CPT is composed of persons from a variety of backgrounds: lawyers, medical 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 Committee organises periodic visits as well as any other visits which appear to it to be required in the circumstances.

The CPT's report on its visit to Austria (76 pages) and the comments of the Republic of Austria (46 pages) can be obtained from:

STRASBOURG

• the Council of Europe Press Department:
  (Sabine ZIMMER, tel. (33) (0) 3 88 41 25 97 ; fax (33) (0) 3 88 41 27 90)
• the Committee for the Prevention of Torture's Secretariat:
  (tel. (33) (0) 3 88 41 23 88 ; fax (33) (0) 3 88 41 27 72)

VIENNA

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Legal Division, International Law Department:
  (tél. 43.1.53115 Ext : 3475 ; fax 43.1.53185 Ext : 212)

A 6 page summary of the CPT's main findings can be faxed upon request.