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Press Release

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture : 
Publication of the follow-up report of the Maltese Government

STRASBOURG, 10.07.97 - The Maltese Government has decided to make public its follow-up 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 Malta in 1995. This follow-up report forms part of the ongoing dialogue established between the CPT and the Maltese authorities.

The CPT's report on its visit and the interim response of the Maltese Government were published in September 1996.

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, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (as from 1 October 1997), France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine (as from 1 September 1997) and the United Kingdom.

The CPT is composed of people from a variety of backgrounds: lawyers, doctors, prison experts, people with parliamentary experience, etc.

The Committee's task is to examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty. It is, therefore, entitled to visit any place where such people are detained by a public authority. The Committee can formulate recommendations where to strengthen, if necessary, protection against torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The CPT organises periodic visits as well as any other visits which it considers necessary.

The Maltese Government's follow-up report can be obtained from :

• the Council of Europe Press Department:
  (Ángel CALVO, tel. +33/(0)3 88 41 25 97; fax +33/(0)3 88 41 27 90)
• 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).

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.