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STRASBOURG, 17.07.97 - The German Government has agreed to the publication of the report of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture on its visit to Germany in April 1996 and of the interim report drawn up by the German authorities in response to the Committee'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 CPT 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 Germany was carried out from 14 to 26 April 1996, within the framework of the Committee's programme of periodic visits for 1996. It was the Committee's second periodic visit to Germany (the first having taken place from 8 to 20 December 1991). The CPT's delegation visited the following places of detention:
Berlin
Hamburg
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Schleswig-Holstein
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: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (as from 1 October 1997), Turkey, Ukraine (as from 1 September 1997) 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 CPT 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 Germany and the interim report drawn up by the German authorities in response to the Committee's report (125 pages) can be obtained from:
A 6 page summary of the CPT's main findings can be faxed upon request.
The German version of the interim report can be obtained at:
Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is the oldest European organisation. Based in Strasbourg, France, it has 40 member countries and covers every policy area except defence. It is entirely separate from the European Union.
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