Visit to Luxembourg by the Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee

[11.02.03] - A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has recently carried out a six-day visit to the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. The visit began on 2 February 2003. It was the Committee's second periodic visit to the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.

The visit was carried out by the following members of the CPT:

-     Marc NÈVE (Head of Delegation) (Belgian)
-     Antoni ALEIX CAMP (Andorran)
-     Roger BEAUVOIS (French)
-     Mario BENEDETTINI (San Marinese)
-     Emilia DRUMEVA (Bulgarian).

They were assisted by an expert, Daniel GLEZER, Psychiatrist, Head of the Regional Prison Psychiatric Service at the Regional Medical Psychological Service, "Les Baumettes" Remand Prison, Marseille, France, as well as by Edo KORLJAN and Michael NEURAUTER of the CPT's Secretariat.

In the course of the visit, the delegation held consultations with Luc FRIEDEN, Minister of Justice, Michel WOLTER, Minister of the Interior, Carlo WAGNER, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Marie-Josée JACOBS, Minister of Family, Social Solidarity and Youth, as well as with senior officials from the ministries concerned.

During the visit, the delegation followed up a certain number of issues already examined during the two previous visits, in particular in respect of the Luxembourg Prison at Schrassig and the State Socio-Educational Centre for Boys at Dreiborn. In addition, the delegation examined in detail the situation of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty under aliens legislation.

The delegation visited the following places:

Police

- Regional Police Headquarters, Luxembourg City (Glesener Street)
- Regional Police Headquarters, Capellen
- Police Station at Luxembourg Central Railway Station
- Transit rooms of the police at Luxembourg-Findel Airport
- Custodial and mobile reserve units, Luxembourg City
- Aliens Police Unit, Luxembourg City

Customs and Excise Administration

- Service of the Customs and Excise Administration at Luxembourg-Findel Airport
- Intervention Brigade of the Drugs and Controlled Products Directorate, Rumelange

- Luxembourg Prison, Schrassig (including the Centre for the Temporary Stay of Illegal Foreign Nationals)

- Secured rooms at Luxembourg Central Hospital, Luxembourg City

- State Socio-Educational Centre for Boys, Dreiborn.