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STRASBOURG, 25.05.2000 - The authorities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have made public the report of the COUNCIL OF EUROPE’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on its visit to the Netherlands Antilles in January 1999, and the response of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles.
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 Antilles was carried out from 25 to 29 January 1999. It was organised following an invitation from the authorities of the Netherlands Antilles. The main purpose of the visit was to review action taken in the light of the CPT's previous recommendations concerning Koraal Specht Prison and to hold consultations with the authorities of the Netherlands Antilles with a view to establishing a clear timetable for the taking of further measures required.
The Committee's reports on the 1994 and 1997 visits and the reports of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles in response were published respectively in January 1996 and December 1998.
The CPT was set up under the 1987 European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 40 of the 41 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, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The remaining State - Georgia - signed the Convention on 16 February 2000.
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 be required in the circumstances.
The CPT's report on its visit to the Netherlands Antilles in 1999 (28 pages) and the Netherlands Antilles authorities (33 pages) can be obtained from:
the CPT’s Internet Site: www.cpt.coe.int
the Council of Europe Press Department:
Sabine ZIMMER/Cathie BURTON tél. +33/(0)3 88 41 25 97/28 93 ; fax +33/(0)3 88 41 27
90 ; e-mail pressunit@coe.int
the CPT’s Secretariat:
tel. +33/(0)3.88.41.23.88; fax: +33/(0)3.88.41.27.72; e-mail cptdoc@coe.int
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