News Flash
25.11.2011 - A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the
Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
carried out an ad hoc visit to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” from
21 to 24 November 2011.
The main objective of the visit was to examine the current treatment and
conditions of detention of persons held in Idrizovo Prison, having regard to the
recommendations made by the CPT in the report on its September/October 2010
periodic visit. The delegation also carried out targeted follow-up visits to
Skopje Remand Prison and the remand section of Tetovo Prison; particular
attention was paid to the conditions of detention of juveniles held on remand. A
short visit was also undertaken to the “Tetovo” Educational-Correctional
Institution, which is currently located in Veles.
In the course of the visit, the CPT's delegation met Blerim BEXHETI, the
Minister of Justice, Lidija GAVRILOSKA, the Director of the Directorate for the
Execution of Sanctions, and other officials from relevant Ministries. It also
held talks with the Sector for Internal Control and Professional Standards of
the Ministry of Interior. In addition, it had meetings with the Ombudsman, Ixhet
MEMETI, and representatives of the OSCE.
At the end of the visit the delegation presented its preliminary observations
to the authorities.
The visit was carried out by the following members of the CPT:
- James McMANUS (British), Head of delegation,
- Mykola GNATOVSKYY (Ukrainian),
- Olivera VULIĆ (Montenegrin).
They were supported by Hugh CHETWYND, Head of Division in the CPT's
Secretariat.
- A "CPT Video-kit" is available for the audiovisual press. For more details
please access our page "For the press".
