Press Release
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture announces its
visits in 1998
STRASBOURG, 16.12.97 - Within the framework of its programme of periodic visits, the
European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment (CPT) envisages organising visits to the following countries during 1998:
Visits to other countries may be organised in 1998 if circumstances so require.
The CPT was set up under the 1987 European Convention for the prevention of torture and
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. To date, 37 member States of the Council of
Europe are bound by the Convention: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia
(as from 1.2.98), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova (as
from 1.2.98), the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, 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, medical 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.
For further information:
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.
