Press Release
Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee publishes reports on
Estonia
Strasbourg,
30.10.2002 – In two reports published today, the European Committee for the
Prevention of Torture (CPT) assesses the treatment of people detained in
Estonia. These reports, published with the approval of the Estonian authorities
together with their responses, concern two visits carried out in 1997 and 1999.
During
the 1997 visit, the CPT found that, in recent years, there had been a marked
improvement in the manner in which detained persons were treated by the police.
However, extremely poor conditions of detention prevailed in many police arrest
houses. Detainees were held for prolonged periods in unhygienic and overcrowded
cells, with no mattresses and a meagre amount of food. During a follow-up visit
carried out in 1999, the CPT noted the first positive steps taken by the
Estonian authorities to improve this situation.
The conditions of detention of remand prisoners observed at Tallinn Central
Prison in 1997 were intolerable. Deplorable material conditions were compounded
by a total absence of activities. In their responses, the Estonian authorities
provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve conditions of
detention in the establishment and throughout the prison system.
Many allegations of ill-treatment of patients were received at Valkla Social
Welfare House during the 1997 visit. Further, the establishment was not
adequately resourced, particularly in terms of staff. During a follow-up visit
in 1999, the CPT noted that the situation had significantly improved. No
allegations of ill-treatment were heard, and special training had been organised
for staff.
The CPT reports and the responses of the Estonian authorities are available on
the CPT’s website (http://www.cpt.coe.int).
