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Press Release

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture:

Publication of the report on the visit to the Netherlands in 1997

STRASBOURG, 29.09.98 – The report of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture on its visit to the Netherlands in November 1997 was published by the Netherlands Government on 10 September 1998.

Under Article 11 of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the information gathered by the Committee in relation to a visit, its report and its consultattions with the State concerned are confidential. However, the State concerned may decide to lift the rule of confidentiality provided for in the Convention.

The CPT’s visit to the Netherlands was carried out from 17 to 27 November 1997, in the context of the Committee’s programme of periodic visits for 1997. The CPT’s delegation visited the following places of detention:

Amsterdam:

- Over-Amstel Prisons (Demersluis and Het Veer)

- Amsterdam Police Headquarters

- Police Station, Warmoesstraat 44-50

- Koninklijke Marechaussee ("Royal Gendarmerie") facilities, Schiphol International Airport

- Registration Centre of the Central Reception Organisation for Asylum Seekers (COA) at Schiphol International Airport

Emmen:

- Emmen Police Headquarters

Groningen :

- Dr S. van Mesdag Clinic

- Groningen Regional Police Headquarters

Ter Apel:

- Departure Centre for Foreigners

Tilburg:

- Tilburg Regional Police Headquarters

- Police Station, Stationsstraat 14

- King Willem II Detention Centre for Foreigners

- Nieuw Vosseveld Prison (EBI and TEBI)

The CPT was set under the 1987 European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. To date, 39 member States of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, 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, doctors, prison experts, persons with parliamentary experience, etc.

The Committee’s 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 other visits which appear to it to be required in the circumstances.

The CPT’s report on its visit to the Netherlands (75 pages) can be obtained from:

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

• The CPT’s Secretariat:
  Tel. +33/(0)3 88 41 23 88 ; fax (0)3 88 41 27 72 ; e-mail cptdoc@coe.int

• The CPT’s Internet site: www.cpt.coe.int

A six page summary of the CPT’s main findings can be faxed upon request.

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe promotes democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 40 member states.