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Press Release

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture:
Publication of the interim report of the Danish Government

STRASBOURG 11.12.97 - The Danish Government has agreed to the publication of its interim report in response to the report drawn up by the COUNCIL OF EUROPE's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) after its visit to Denmark in 1996. This interim report forms part of the ongoing dialogue established between the CPT and the Danish authorities.

The CPT's report on its visit to Denmark was published in April 1997.

The CPT was set up under the 1987 European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. To date, 37 member States of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia (as from 1 February 1998), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova (as from 1 February 1998), the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, 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, medical doctors, prison experts, persons with parliamentary experience, etc. Its 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 Danish Government's 54 page interim report may be obtained from:

• the Council of Europe Press Department:
  Sabine ZIMMER, tel. +33/(0)3 88 41 25 97; fax  +33/(0)3 88 41 27 90; e-mail: press.unit@coe.fr
• 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; e-mail cptdoc@coe.int

The interim report can also be obtained from:

• The Ministry of Justice
  Slotsholmsgade 10
  1216 Copenhagen K
  tel. +45 33 92 33 40 : fax : +45 31 38 85 90 

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 separate from the European Union.