http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/ News on CPT visits and publications (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) en-gb The main objective of the visit was to examine the situation at Lisbon Central Prison to see to what extent the recommendations made in the report on the February 2012 visit had been implemented. Further, the delegation visited Monsanto High Security Prison for the first time since it became fully operational. It also examined among other matters the treatment and conditions of detention of a person held in this prison who had been convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/prt/2013-05-22-eng.htm 22 May 2013 07:15:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has today published the report on its sixth periodic visit to Spain, which took place in May-June 2011. It has also published the report on its follow-up visit to Barcelona Prison for Men (La Modelo) carried out in June 2012. Both reports have been published at the request of the Spanish authorities, together with their responses. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/esp/2013-04-30-eng.htm 30 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT At the request of the Portuguese authorities, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its sixth periodic visit to Portugal, carried out in February 2012, together with the response of the Portuguese authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/prt/2013-04-24-eng.htm 24 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation examined the treatment and conditions of detention of persons detained by law enforcement agencies. Particular attention was paid to the situation of irregular migrants detained under Aliens legislation who are held in police and border guard stations as well as immigration and coast guard detention facilities. The delegation also examined the situation in several prison establishments, including the provision of health care and the programme of activities offered to inmates. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2013-04-19-eng.htm 19 Apr 2013 13:15:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review the implementation of recommendations made after previous visits regarding the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police. For this purpose, the delegation interviewed numerous detained persons who had recently been or were still in police custody; it also examined relevant documentation, including investigation files concerning complaints about police ill-treatment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2013-04-16-eng.htm 16 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and in particular the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations had been implemented in the areas of police custody and imprisonment (including as regards pre-trial detention and long prison sentences). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/hun/2013-04-16-eng.htm 16 Apr 2013 08:30:00 GMT The visit provided an opportunity to assess the extent to which the recommendations made after previous CPT visits have been implemented. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons in police custody, to prison conditions and to the situation of forensic psychiatric patients and of social care home residents. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mne/2013-02-25-eng.htm 25 Feb 2013 15:15:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation followed up the recommendations made by the CPT after previous visits. In this context, a particular attention was paid to conditions of detention at San Marino Prison, safeguards offered to persons detained by law enforcement agencies as well as to psychiatric patients subject to “obligatory medical treatment” (TSO). The delegation also visited two homes for the elderly. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/smr/2013-02-06-eng.htm 06 Feb 2013 13:00:00 GMT In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) expressed serious concerns about the treatment of persons held by law enforcement agencies in the North Caucasian region of the Russian Federation and the effectiveness of the action taken by the investigative authorities concerning possible ill-treatment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2013-01-24-eng.htm 24 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a two-day visit (16 and 17 January 2013) to the F-type High-Security Closed Prison on the island of Imralı in Turkey. The purpose of the visit was to examine the conditions under which Abdullah Öcalan and the five other inmates were being held in the establishment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2013-01-23-eng.htm 23 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its visit to Greenland from 25 to 27 September 2012. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/dnk/2013-01-22-eng.htm 22 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review the implementation of recommendations made after previous visits concerning the treatment of persons detained by law enforcement agencies. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/aze/2012-12-21-eng.htm 21 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT The 2011 visit focused on the treatment and conditions of detention of persons held in Idrizovo Prison, which had been the subject of many recommendations following previous visits. The report on the visit states that the practice of some prison officers resorting to violence against inmates persisted, inter-prisoner intimidation/violence remained a significant problem, and the vast majority of the establishment’s inmates continued to be held in totally unsatisfactory conditions (both material and in terms of activities). The report states that fundamental change is required to address these serious shortcomings and recommends the national authorities to develop a professional management approach within prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2012-12-20-eng.htm 20 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit, which began on 1 December 2012, was to re-examine the manner in which prisoners serving sentences (including life sentences) were treated in correctional colonies. The delegation visited four correctional colonies located in three different regions of the country (the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Vinnytsia regions). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2012-12-13-eng.htm 13 Dec 2012 14:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment of persons detained by law enforcement agencies in the Republika Srpska, and to evaluate the progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in the CPT’s report on the 2011 periodic visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bih/2012-12-13-eng.htm 13 Dec 2012 09:30:00 GMT The main purpose of the visit was to review the prevailing situation in the Belgian prison system, in particular the conditions of detention in establishments for prisoners awaiting trial and issues connected to strikes by prison staff and other industrial action resulting in a reduced work rate within prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bel/2012-12-13-eng.htm 13 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained by the police and the conditions of detention in police arrest houses. The treatment and regime of prisoners, including life-sentenced prisoners, were also examined during the visit. In addition, a follow-up visit to Kaunas Juvenile Remand Prison was carried out to review the measures taken to implement recommendations made after previous visits to the establishment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2012-12-07-eng.htm 07 Dec 2012 13:30:00 GMT This visit provided an opportunity to assess the practical implementation of the recommendations made by the CPT after its first visit in 2006. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained in the cells of the Central Directorate of Public Security, persons held in the remand prison, or those placed by administrative decision or court order in the Department of Psychiatry of the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mco/2012-12-06-eng.htm 06 Dec 2012 10:45:00 GMT In the report, the CPT expresses concern about the risk of ill-treatment by the police, both at the time of apprehension and during the subsequent period of custody and questioning. The report also highlights the need to tackle the problem of overcrowding at Nicosia Central Prisons and to ensure a satisfactory level of health-care provision for inmates at the establishment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cyp/2012-12-06-eng.htm 06 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT Overcrowding remains a major problem in the Bulgarian penitentiary system, and disturbing levels of overcrowding were observed in both prisons visited. The report urges the authorities to redouble their efforts to counter this problem and to be guided in this respect by the relevant Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. More generally, the material conditions at Burgas and Varna Prisons were not acceptable. In their response, the Bulgarian authorities draw attention to a Government-adopted "Agenda for the improvement of the conditions in the penitentiary establishments for the period 2011-2013" and point out that some establishments, including Burgas and Varna Prisons, would undergo partial or full refurbishment. However, they also underline that a lack of financial resources is hampering efforts in this respect. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2012-12-04-eng.htm 04 Dec 2012 10:00:00 GMT In 2013, as part of its programme of periodic visits, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) intends to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the following ten countries: Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Poland, San Marino, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/visits/2012-11-28-eng.htm 28 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT At the outset of the visit, which began on 19 November 2012, the CPT’s delegation held high-level talks with the Georgian authorities. One issue addressed was the effectiveness of the criminal investigations that had been launched, following the publication on 18 September of video material containing scenes of apparent serious ill-treatment of prisoners by staff in certain penitentiary establishments. The legislative, administrative and other steps being taken (and planned) by the Georgian authorities in respect of the country’s prison system were also discussed. Following the talks, the CPT’s delegation visited Prison No.8 in Gldani and Prison No.2 in Kutaisi, two of the establishments in which the alleged ill-treatment was said to have occurred. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2012-11-28-eng.htm 28 Nov 2012 07:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its visit to Andorra from 28 November to 1 December 2011, together with the response of the Andorran Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the Andorran authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/and/2012-11-15-eng.htm 15 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment of persons detained by the police. Numerous persons interviewed by the CPT’s delegation, including women and juveniles, alleged that they had been subjected to physical ill-treatment at the time of arrest or during subsequent questioning by police officers. In several cases, the ill-treatment alleged was of such a severity that it could be considered to amount to torture. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2012-11-14-eng.htm 14 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT In its annual report, published today, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) urges all Council of Europe member states to ratify a UN treaty and establish independent national bodies to monitor the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2012-11-06-eng.htm 06 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has examined for the first time the treatment of foreign nationals during an operation of deportation by air. The monitoring took place in the context of an ad hoc visit to the United Kingdom from 22 to 24 October and involved the presence of the CPT’s delegation on a charter flight between London and Colombo (Sri Lanka). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2012-10-25-eng.htm 25 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its most recent visit to Switzerland, carried out in October 2011, together with the response of the Swiss Government. Nearly all detained persons met by the CPT’s delegation in the Cantons of Bern, Thurgau, Zug and Zurich stated that they had been treated correctly by the police; a few allegations of excessive use of force by the police were received concerning the Canton of Vaud. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/che/2012-10-25-eng.htm 25 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation visited Scotland to examine developments there since its last visit in 2003, particularly as concerns the situation of female prisoners and adult males on remand. It also looked into the treatment and conditions of detention in several police stations and visited a medium-secure psychiatric clinic. Finally, the delegation examined issues relating to persons held under immigration legislation and visited two immigration removal centres in England. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2012-10-03-eng.htm 03 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT The 2011 ad hoc visit was carried out to assess the steps taken by the Armenian authorities to implement long-standing recommendations made by the CPT, in particular those concerning the treatment of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment. The Committee’s delegation visited Yerevan-Kentron Prison and carried out a targeted visit to the unit for lifers and the disciplinary unit of Nubarashen Prison. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2012-10-03-eng.htm 03 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to Greenland from 25 to 27 September 2012. It was the Committee's first visit to Greenland. In the course of the visit, the delegation examined the treatment of persons in police custody, the conditions of detention in Nuuk Prison and the situation of persons subjected to involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/dnk/2012-10-02-eng.htm 02 Oct 2012 15:05:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a seven day visit to Iceland. The visit, which began on 18 September, was the CPT’s fourth visit to the country. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the extent to which the recommendations made after previous CPT visits have been implemented. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons in police custody, prison conditions and the situation of patients in psychiatric institutions. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/isl/2012-10-02-eng.htm 02 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a nine day visit to Croatia. The visit, which began on 19 September, was the CPT’s fourth visit to the country. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the extent to which the recommendations made after previous CPT visits have been implemented. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons in police custody, prison conditions, and the situation of patients in psychiatric institutions and residents in social care homes. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/hrv/2012-10-01-eng.htm 01 Oct 2012 16:00:00 GMT In their response, the Moldovan authorities provide information on steps taken or envisaged to implement the recommendations made in the CPT’s report on the June 2011 visit. The Committee's report was published in January 2012. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2012-08-28-eng.htm 28 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT The visit report notes that the CPT’s delegation received no allegations of physical ill-treatment of persons detained by the police, prisoners or patients in mental health institutions. On the contrary, the relations between persons deprived of their liberty and staff appeared to be generally very good. However, numerous complaints were received about the frequency of strip searches in prisons and the manner in which they were carried out; the CPT has highlighted the principles which should be applied in this regard. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nld/2012-08-09-eng.htm 09 Aug 2012 06:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the response of the Government of Norway to the report on the CPT's most recent visit to that country, in May 2011. The response has been made public at the request of the Norwegian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nor/2012-07-25-eng.htm 25 Jul 2012 09:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment and conditions of detention of juveniles held in prisons, taking into account the recent allegations of ill-treatment of juvenile prisoners at Pozantı Prison. The delegation visited Ankara-Sincan Juvenile Prison, to which all the juveniles previously held at Pozantı Prison had been transferred, as well as Istanbul-Maltepe Juvenile Prison and the juvenile units of Diyarbakır and Gaziantep E-type Prisons. The delegation also discussed with the Turkish authorities the fires which had broken out in June in several prisons in central and south-eastern Turkey, resulting in a number of severe casualties. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2012-07-02-eng.htm 02 Jul 2012 14:45:00 GMT The CPT published today the report on its recent visit to Tilburg Prison. In application of an Interstate Convention concluded in October 2009, the Dutch authorities make available to Belgium the premises of Tilburg Prison and its staff, for the purpose of detaining persons serving final sentences imposed by Belgian courts. By this means, the Belgium authorities are attempting to combat the overcrowding which currently affects their country’s penitentiary system while waiting for the results of the “Master Plan for a more humane prison infrastructure”. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bel/2012-06-26-eng.htm 26 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT Representatives of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently held a new series of high-level talks with the Russian federal authorities. In addition to the follow-up to the findings made by the CPT during its April-May 2011 visit to the North Caucasian region, the discussions related to broader issues of co-operation between the Committee and the Russian authorities as well as the publication of CPT reports. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2012-06-14-eng.htm 14 Jun 2012 07:15:00 GMT In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation received several allegations of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, including in respect of juveniles. The alleged ill-treatment consisted of slaps, punches, kicks and truncheon blows and concerned the time of apprehension or when suspects were being interrogated in police stations. The CPT has recommended that police officers be reminded that all forms of ill-treatment are unacceptable and will be the subject of severe sanctions. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2012-06-14-eng.htm 14 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since the previous visit in 2007, in particular as regards conditions in police detention facilities and at Tallinn Prison. A first-time visit was carried out to Viru Prison, which had opened in 2008, the delegation paying particular attention to the juvenile and maximum security units. The delegation also examined the treatment of involuntary patients at the country’s largest psychiatric hospital and of residents at a social care home. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/est/2012-06-12-eng.htm 12 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and in particular the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented in the areas of police custody and pre-trial detention. The delegation also visited a closed-type prison (t’yurma), in Vladimir region, and paid a follow-up visit to Yagul Strict-Regime Colony No. 1 in the Republic of Udmurtia. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2012-06-07-eng.htm 07 Jun 2012 14:15:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Italian authorities in response to recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. Particular attention was paid to the treatment and fundamental safeguards applied to persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement agencies and the conditions under which foreign nationals are held in an identification and expulsion centre. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2012-05-31-eng.htm 31 May 2012 09:30:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review the current situation as regards the treatment and conditions of prisoners in establishments under the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. For this purpose, the CPT’s delegation visited Burgas and Varna Prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2012-05-14-eng.htm 14 May 2012 12:15:00 GMT The main purpose of the visit was to review the current situation in the Belgian prison system, in particular the conditions of detention in establishments for prisoners awaiting trial and issues connected to strikes by prison staff and other industrial action resulting in a reduced work rate within prisons. The CPT's delegation visited Forest Prison for the first time. The delegation also carried out a short follow-up visit to Andenne Prison and examined Wing B of St. Gilles Prison, which is due to be opened shortly. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bel/2012-05-03-eng.htm 03 May 2012 12:45:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation received a considerable number of credible allegations of severe physical ill-treatment by the police. The alleged ill-treatment mostly concerned kicks and punches to the body and blows with batons; however, detailed allegations were also received of handcuffing in stress positions, the placing of plastic bags over the heads of suspects and the infliction of electric shocks. The majority of the allegations concerned the time when suspects were being questioned by crime inspectors in their offices, and the information gathered indicates that the infliction of ill-treatment is a frequent practice at Banja Luka Central Police Station. The CPT emphasises in its report that all means should be explored to ensure that a message of zero tolerance of ill-treatment reaches law enforcement officials at all levels. It recommends that an independent inquiry be carried out into the methods used by crime inspectors at Banja Luka Central Police Station. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bih/2012-04-26-eng.htm 26 Apr 2012 06:45:00 GMT In its visit report, the CPT notes a number of positive developments. Legal reforms had been adopted or initiated in several fields of considerable interest to the Committee (e.g. police custody, prison matters and psychiatric care). However, some of the CPT’s long-standing concerns had only been partly met by the action taken by the French authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fra/2012-04-19-eng.htm 19 Apr 2012 06:45:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today published the report on its visit to Albania in May 2010, together with the response of the Albanian authorities. The majority of the persons interviewed by the CPT delegation stated that they had been correctly treated by the police. However, a significant number of persons (including many juveniles) claimed that they had been subjected to ill-treatment (e.g. slaps, punches, kicks or truncheon blows) at the time of their apprehension or during questioning by police officers. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2012-03-20-eng.htm 20 Mar 2012 07:45:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today published the report on its visit to Bulgaria in October 2010, and the response of the Bulgarian authorities. The majority of the persons interviewed by the CPT's delegation said that they had been correctly treated by the police. Nevertheless, a considerable number of persons alleged physical ill-treatment at the time of their apprehension. In a few isolated cases, the delegation heard allegations of the infliction of electric shocks. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2012-03-15-eng.htm 15 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today expressed concern over the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police in Ukraine. Visiting police and pre-trial establishments from 29 November to 6 December 2011, the CPT delegation received numerous allegations from detained persons (including women and juveniles) that they had been subjected to physical ill-treatment at the time of arrest or during subsequent questioning by police officers. In a number of cases, the ill-treatment alleged was of such a severity that it could be considered to amount to torture. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2012-03-12-eng.htm 12 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its most recent visit to Germany, in November/December 2010, together with the response of the German authorities. The CPT heard no allegations of recent ill-treatment during custody in police establishments. However, a few allegations were received from detained persons (including juveniles) that they had been subjected to excessive use of force by police officers at the time of apprehension (in particular, punches and kicks). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/deu/2012-02-22-eng.htm 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the treatment of persons detained by various police services (Judicial Police, Public Security Police and Republican National Guard). Particular attention was given to the application in practice of safeguards against ill-treatment. The delegation also visited a number of prisons, focusing on various categories of prisoners, notably those in disciplinary segregation and in high security units as well as juveniles and those held on remand. In addition, the delegation examined the treatment and legal safeguards afforded to patients in several psychiatric institutions. It also visited a social care home for children. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/prt/2012-02-22-eng.htm 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and in particular the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented in the areas of police custody, imprisonment and involuntary placement in psychiatric establishments. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/svn/2012-02-09-eng.htm 09 Feb 2012 08:30:00 GMT The CPT’s report states that a significant number of persons alleged ill-treatment by police officers and recommends national authorities to continue to take action to combat ill-treatment by police, including an effective investigation into every allegation. In response, the national authorities provide information on the investigations into the cases raised by the Committee and on action to promote respect for human rights by the police. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2012-01-25-eng.htm 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented in the areas of police custody, imprisonment and involuntary placement in psychiatric hospitals. Further, it visited for the first time a temporary placement centre for foreigners and a psychoneurological home for minors. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2012-01-12-eng.htm 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the treatment and conditions of detention of migrants held in aliens detention centres and in police and border guard stations, particularly in the Attica and Evros regions. The delegation also examined in depth the situation in several prison establishments, including the provision of health care and the regime offered to inmates. The treatment of criminal suspects detained by the police is also addressed. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2012-01-10-eng.htm 10 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT followed up a number of issues examined during previous visits, including the fundamental safeguards offered to persons deprived of their liberty by the police and the conditions of detention of immigration detainees. In this connection, the Committee carried out a follow-up visit to Trandum Aliens Holding Centre. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nor/2011-12-21-eng.htm 21 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented, in particular as regards police custody, imprisonment – including inmates sentenced to life imprisonment – and legal safeguards for patients in psychiatric institutions. Further, it visited for the first time a psychoneurological boarding home. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/aze/2011-12-20-eng.htm 20 Dec 2011 10:00:00 GMT The purpose of the visit was to review progress made in the light of the recommendations contained in the report on the CPT’s visit to Armenia in 2010, in particular as regards the treatment of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment. The CPT’s delegation visited Yerevan-Kentron Prison and carried out a targeted visit to the unit for lifers and the disciplinary unit of Nubarashen Prison. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2011-12-13-eng.htm 13 Dec 2011 08:30:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review progress made regarding the treatment and conditions of detention of persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement agencies. For this purpose, the delegation visited the pre-trial establishments (SIZOs) in Kyiv and Kharkiv and various police establishments. On the occasion of this visit and in the light of reports recently received by the CPT, the delegation also examined the health care being provided to certain prisoners currently held at the Kyiv SIZO, including Valeriy IVASHENKO, Yurii LUTSENKO and Yulia TYMOSHENKO. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2011-12-12-eng.htm 12 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT In 2012, as part of its programme of periodic visits, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) intends to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the following ten countries: Croatia, Estonia, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Monaco, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovenia and United Kingdom. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/visits/2011-12-07-eng.htm 07 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT The CPT's delegation examined the measures taken by the Andorran authorities in response to the recommendations made following its previous visit (in 2004); in particular, attention was paid to the safeguards afforded to persons detained by the police following recent legislative reforms and to the conditions of detention in the new prison establishment of La Comella (as well as the conditions of hospitalisation of prisoners at the Hospital of Nostra Senyora de Meritxell). It also examined the treatment of persons suffering from mental health problems. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/and/2011-12-05-eng.htm 05 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMT 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 targetted 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. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2011-11-25-eng.htm 25 Nov 2011 13:30:00 GMT The CPT reviewed the measures taken by the Romanian authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained by the police and the conditions of detention in a number of police establishments. The Committee also examined in detail various issues related to prisons, in particular the situation of juveniles, life-sentenced prisoners and prisoners classified as “dangerous”. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rom/2011-11-24-eng.htm 24 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT In its report, the CPT notes an improvement of material conditions of detention in law enforcement establishments and of the conditions in which immigration detainees are held, as well as the stepping up of efforts aimed at the social rehabilitation of prisoners and their preparation for release. However, the Committee expresses concern that little progress has been made in many other areas. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2011-11-23-eng.htm 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT In its annual report, which was published today, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) urges States to minimise the use of solitary confinement of prisoners. This measure should be applied only in exceptional circumstances and for the shortest possible period of time. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2011-11-10-eng.htm 10 Nov 2011 10:30:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the situation of persons subjected to a TBS measure (i.e. a measure providing for involuntary psychiatric treatment in a special hospital) as well as the treatment of irregular migrants held in detention centres for aliens. It also examined for the first time the situation of the so-called “VRIS” prisoners (sentenced foreigners awaiting deportation) and the expulsion procedures in place. The delegation also reviewed the treatment of persons in police custody, including the safeguards applicable to them. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nld/2011-10-28-eng.htm 28 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation reviewed the steps taken by the Swiss authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. In particular, the delegation re-examined the implementation of fundamental safeguards against police ill-treatment following the entry into force of the unified Code of Criminal Procedure. In the area of prisons, particular attention was paid to the situation of inmates suffering from psychiatric disorders and persons subject to preventive detention (“Verwahrung”) or to institutional therapeutic measures (“stationäre therapeutische Massnahmen”). In this context, the delegation also visited a forensic psychiatric clinic. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/che/2011-10-26-eng.htm 26 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today published a report on its most recent visit to Kosovo (8 to 15 June 2010), together with the response of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Both documents have been made public at the request of UNMIK. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2011-10-06-eng.htm 06 Oct 2011 07:10:00 GMT 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 Malta from 26 to 30 September 2011. The main objective of the visit was to examine the current situation in the prison system, having regard to the recommendations made by the Committee after its 2008 visit to Malta. For this purpose, the CPT’s delegation visited Corradino Correctional Facility. Conditions in the detention centres for immigrants at Lyster and Safi Barracks were also reviewed, and the delegation paid a brief visit to Mount Carmel Psychiatric Hospital, in order to interview patients in the forensic ward and the ward for immigration detainees. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mlt/2011-10-05-eng.htm 05 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Latvian authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits to the country. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the safeguards against ill-treatment offered to persons deprived of their liberty by the police as well as to conditions of detention in police stations. The delegation also examined various issues related to prisons, including the activities offered to prisoners, health-care services, and the regime and security measures applied to life-sentenced prisoners. In addition, the delegation looked into the treatment of patients at a psychiatric clinic, and of residents at a social care home. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lva/2011-09-19-eng.htm 19 Sep 2011 15:00:00 GMT Representatives of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) held talks last week in Russia with the federal authorities. The discussions were focused on the findings made by the CPT during its April-May 2011 visit to the North Caucasian region, in particular concerning the activities of law enforcement agencies and investigations into possible ill-treatment by members of those agencies. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2011-09-05-eng.htm 05 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its periodic visit to Armenia in May 2010, together with the response of the Armenian Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the Armenian authorities. In their response, the Armenian authorities provide information on steps taken or envisaged to implement the CPT’s recommendations. Particular reference is made to police and criminal procedure reforms, improved police training and action taken against police officers in case of professional misconduct. The Armenian authorities also inform the Committee of urgent measures being taken to combat prison overcrowding, including by placing increased emphasis on alternatives to imprisonment and by making early release mechanisms more efficient. Further, the building of new prisons, within the framework of a recent “prison infrastructure reform programme”, is expected to decrease overcrowding, improve conditions of detention of various categories of inmate and reduce the risks of inter-prisoner intimidation. The Armenian authorities also provide information on measures taken to improve living conditions in the psychiatric and social care institutions visited. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2011-08-17-eng.htm 17 Aug 2011 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its most recent visit to Latvia, which took place from 3 to 8 December 2009, together with the response of the Latvian Government. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Latvian authorities. The main objective of the visit was to review progress made as regards the treatment and conditions of detention of prisoners, in the light of the recommendations made by the Committee after the 2007 visit to Latvia. To that end, the CPT’s delegation re-visited Jēkabpils Prison and the units for life-sentenced prisoners at Daugavgrīvas and Jelgava Prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lva/2011-07-19-eng.htm 19 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth periodic visit to Poland in November/December 2009, together with the response of the Polish authorities. These documents have been made public at the request of the Polish authorities. During the visit, the CPT's delegation received a number of allegations of excessive use of force by the police at the time of apprehension, as well as of physical ill-treatment and verbal abuse, including of juveniles, during questioning. The CPT has recommended that police officers be reminded that all forms of ill-treatment are unacceptable and will be the subject of severe sanctions. Particular attention was paid to the manner in which investigations are carried out into cases involving allegations of ill-treatment, and the report concludes that the effectiveness of such investigations needs to be improved. In their response, the Polish authorities refer to instructions given to senior police officers in the regional command offices. They also mention training on practical aspects of the protection of human rights. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/pol/2011-07-12-eng.htm 12 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the treatment of persons detained by various police services (including the Policia Nacional, the Guardia Civil, the Ertzaintza and the Mossos d’Esquadra). Particular attention was given to the application in practice of safeguards against ill-treatment and the situation of persons held in “incommunicado” detention. The delegation also visited a number of prisons, focusing on various categories of prisoners, notably those in disciplinary segregation and in special departments. Further, the use of mechanical restraints in prisons was reassessed. The treatment of persons held in foreigner detention centres was also examined. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/esp/2011-06-17-eng.htm 17 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMT In its response, the Georgian Government describes the measures being taken to improve the situation in the light of the recommendations made by the CPT. For example, the Georgian authorities state that a Medical Department has been set up at the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance with a view to preparing the transfer of responsibility for prison health-care to the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs by 2013. The Georgian authorities also indicate in their response that the Asatiani Psychiatric Institute will be closed down by 1 July 2011, and patients allocated to various other psychiatric institutions offering satisfactory living conditions. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2011-06-16-eng.htm 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Moldova from 1 to 10 June 2011. It was the Committee's fifth periodic visit to this country. The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented in the areas of police custody, imprisonment and involuntary placement in psychiatric hospitals. Further, it visited for the first time a temporary placement centre for foreigners and a psychoneurological home for minors. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2011-06-15-eng.htm 15 Jun 2011 07:30:00 GMT The delegation followed up a number of issues examined during previous visits, including the fundamental safeguards against ill-treatment offered to persons deprived of their liberty by the police and the conditions of detention of immigration detainees. The delegation also examined in detail the situation of persons subject to preventive detention (forvaring) and of juveniles held in prison establishments. Further, for the first time in Norway, the delegation visited a prison for women. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nor/2011-01-06-eng.htm 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 GMT One of the main objectives of the visit was to examine the measures taken by the Lithuanian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the CPT after its 2008 visit to Kaunas Juvenile Remand Prison. The Committee’s delegation observed that the material conditions of detention in the establishment had considerably improved, but that much remained to be done with regard to the activities offered to remand prisoners. The visit also provided an opportunity to review the manner in which detained persons are treated by the police; the observations made during the visit tend to confirm the positive trend in this area already noted by the CPT in 2008. However, the delegation found that little progress had been made as regards safeguards against ill-treatment and conditions of detention in police establishments. Another issue addressed by the CPT’s delegation was the alleged existence some years ago on Lithuanian territory of secret detention facilities operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States of America. The delegation looked into the conduct of the pre-trial investigation which had been launched in relation to this matter and also visited two facilities that had been identified in this context. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2011-05-19-eng.htm 19 May 2011 08:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has recently completed a ten-day ad hoc visit to the North Caucasian region of the Russian Federation. The visit, which began on 27 April 2011, was the CPT’s 12th visit to this part of the Russian Federation since the year 2000. In the course of the visit, the delegation examined the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Dagestan, the Chechen Republic and the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. In this context, the carrying out of investigations vis-à-vis allegations or information indicative of ill-treatment of detained persons by law enforcement officials was discussed with the relevant authorities in the region. The delegation also reviewed conditions of detention in the main pre-trial establishments (SIZOs) in each of the three Republics. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2011-05-11-eng.htm 11 May 2011 12:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its third periodic visit to Estonia in May 2007, together with the response of the Estonian Government. In the course of the 2007 visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Estonian authorities to implement recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained by the police (including during the disturbances that took place in Tallinn at the end of April 2007), as well as to the conditions of detention in police arrest houses and prisons. The delegation also examined the treatment and living conditions of psychiatric patients and social care home residents. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/est/2011-04-19-eng.htm 19 Apr 2011 07:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently completed a ten-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The visit, which began on 5 April 2011, was the CPT’s fifth visit to this country. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the periodic visit in March 2007 and the ad hoc visit in May 2009. The CPT’s delegation paid particular attention to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement officials and to the operation in practice of the legal safeguards in place. It examined various issues related to prisons, notably as regards inmates on remand, prisoners placed in high security units and disciplinary procedures. The delegation also looked into the treatment of patients at a psychiatric hospital, and of residents at a social care home. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bih/2011-04-15-eng.htm 15 Apr 2011 13:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fifth periodic visit to Turkey, which took place from 4 to 17 June 2009, together with the response of the Turkish Government. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Turkish authorities. In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation interviewed a large number of persons detained in various police or gendarmerie establishments and remand prisons throughout Turkey and gained the distinct impression that the downward trend seen in recent years in both the incidence and the severity of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials was continuing. Nevertheless, a number of credible allegations of recent physical ill-treatment were received, which concerned mainly excessive use of force during apprehension. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2011-03-31-eng.htm 31 Mar 2011 07:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published the report on its fifth periodic visit to Spain, which took place in September-October 2007, together with the response of the Spanish authorities. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Spanish authorities. In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation examined the treatment of persons detained by various national and (autonomous) regional law enforcement agencies. The report comments on the conditions of detention in a number of prisons in the Basque country, Catalonia and the Madrid area, with a particular focus on prisoners in disciplinary segregation and in special departments. It also makes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the conditions of detention at Barajas International Airport for persons not admitted to Spanish territory, and addresses the treatment of foreign unaccompanied minors at a facility in the Canary Islands. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/esp/2011-03-25-eng.htm 25 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today issued a public statement concerning Greece. This is the sixth time the CPT has made a public statement since it was set up in 1989. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2011-03-15-eng.htm 15 Mar 2011 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has elected Lətif Hüseynov from Azerbaijan as its new President. Mr Hüseynov is Professor of Public International Law at Baku State University. Vladimir Ortakov from “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” has been elected as the CPT's 1st Vice-President. He is a Psychiatric Consultant at the Clinical Hospital Sistina, Skopje. Haritini Dipla, from Greece and Professor of International Law at the University of Athens, has been re-elected as the CPT's 2nd Vice-President. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/members/elections/2011-03-14-eng.htm 14 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published the report on its most recent visit to Moldova, which took place from 21 to 27 July 2010, together with the response of the Moldovan Government. Both documents have been made public with the agreement of the Moldovan authorities. The initial objective of the visit was to re-examine the situation in prison and police establishments in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. However, on the spot, the delegation was not allowed to speak to remand prisoners in private. Such a restriction contradicts one of the fundamental characteristics of the preventive mechanism embodied by the CPT; consequently, the delegation interrupted its visit to the region. That said, the delegation visited Penitentiary establishments Nos. 8 and 12 in Bender, which both operate under the authority of the Moldovan Ministry of Justice but are located in an area controlled by the Transnistrian de facto authorities.The delegation also re-examined the treatment of persons detained by the police. Several detained persons met indicated that the behaviour of police officers had considerably improved as compared with only a few years ago. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2011-03-03-eng.htm 03 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT The response, made public at the request of the Belgian authorities, makes reference to the measures being taken to improve the situation in the light of the recommendations made by the CPT. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bel/2011-02-22-eng.htm 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published a report on its fourth periodic visit to Malta, which took place from 19 to 26 May 2008, together with the response of the Maltese Government. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Maltese authorities. In the course of the visit, the CPT examined the treatment of persons detained by the police, irregular immigrants detained under the Immigration Act and prisoners in the Corradino Correctional Facility. It also visited several wards at the Mount Carmel Hospital as well as the Fejda Programme and Jeanne Antide establishments for female minors and juveniles. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mlt/2011-02-17-eng.htm 17 Feb 2011 07:50:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since the previous visit in 2007 and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented, in particular in the areas of police custody, imprisonment and legal safeguards for patients in psychiatric institutions. The delegation also carried out a follow-up visit to Serbia’s only prison hospital and to Dr Laza Lazarević Special Psychiatric Hospital in Belgrade. Further, it visited for the first time the Požarevac Correctional Institution for Women, the Special Psychiatric Hospital in Gornja Toponica and the Educational Institution for Juveniles in Niš. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2011-02-15-eng.htm 15 Feb 2011 14:20:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published a report on its fifth periodic visit to Ireland, which took place from 25 January to 5 February 2010, together with the response of the Irish Government. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Irish authorities. In the course of the visit, the CPT reviewed the treatment of people detained by the Irish police, the Garda Síochána. It also examined the treatment of inmates and conditions of detention in a number of prisons, as well as visiting three psychiatric hospitals, and an institution for persons with intellectual disabilities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/irl/2011-02-10-eng.htm 10 Feb 2011 07:45:00 GMT The main objective of the visit, which began on 30 January 2011, was to examine the treatment of persons who had been taken into custody in the context of disturbances that had occurred on 21 January 2011 in Tirana. For this purpose, the delegation interviewed in private virtually all the persons still in detention (some 35 in total) and examined relevant records at Tirana Prisons Nos. 302 and 313 and at several police establishments in Tirana (Police Directorate General, Police Stations Nos. 1 and 2). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2011-02-04-eng.htm 04 Feb 2011 12:00:00 GMT In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation examined the treatment and conditions of detention of migrants held in aliens detention centres and in police and border guard stations, particularly in the Attica and Evros regions. The delegation also examined the situation in several prison establishments, including the provision of health care and the regime offered to inmates. In addition, the visit offered the opportunity to review the treatment of detained persons suspected of criminal offences and the safeguards in place for them. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2011-02-03-eng.htm 03 Feb 2011 17:00:00 GMT Publication of an addendum to the Response of the Government of the Slovak Republic http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/states/svk.htm 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 GMT Publication of follow-up responses of the Portuguese Government http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/states/prt.htm 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation examined, among other matters, the measures taken by the French authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. In this connection, it reviewed the treatment of persons detained by law enforcement agencies and of foreign nationals held under aliens legislation, as well as conditions of detention in prisons. The delegation also paid particular attention to the situation of patients placed involuntarily in psychiatric establishments. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fra/2010-12-15-eng.htm 15 Dec 2010 08:15:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the German authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the fundamental safeguards against ill-treatment offered to persons deprived of their liberty by the police and the conditions of detention in units for immigration detainees in various prisons. The delegation also examined in detail the situation of persons subject to preventive detention (Sicherungsverwahrung) and of juvenile offenders held in penitentiary establishments. Further, for the first time in Germany, the delegation visited a prison for women. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/deu/2010-12-13-eng.htm 13 Dec 2010 17:00:00 GMT In 2011, as part of its programme of periodic visits, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) intends to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the following ten countries: Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Moldova, The Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/visits/2010-12-09-eng.htm 09 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the reports on its visit to the Channel Islands (Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey) in March 2010, together with the responses of the States of Guernsey and States of Jersey Governments. These documents have been made public at the request of the United Kingdom authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2010-19-11-eng.htm 19 Nov 2010 08:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fifth periodic visit to Greece in September 2009, together with the response of the Greek Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the Greek authorities. In the course of the 2009 visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Greek authorities to implement recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. It focused in particular on the treatment and safeguards afforded to persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement officials, and examined the conditions of detention in police and border guard stations, coast guard posts and in special facilities for irregular migrants. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2010-11-17-eng.htm 17 Nov 2010 08:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Bulgaria from 18 to 29 October 2010. During the visit, the delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Bulgarian authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits, in particular in the areas of initial detention by the police, the situation of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty, conditions of detention in investigation detention facilities and prisons, and the treatment of psychiatric patients and social care home residents. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2010-11-03-eng.htm 03 Nov 2010 08:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its periodic visit to Luxembourg in April 2009, together with the Luxembourg Government's response. These documents have been made public at the request of the Luxembourg authorities. During the 2009 visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Luxembourg authorities to implement recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. It focused in particular on the safeguards afforded to persons deprived of their liberty by the police, and the situation at Luxembourg Prison and the State Socio-Educational Centre at Dreiborn. In addition, the delegation visited the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital at Ettelbruck, where it paid particular attention to the living conditions and treatment of patients placed in closed units for minors and adults. The legal safeguards in the context of the procedure for involuntary placement of mentally ill persons were also examined. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lux/2010-10-28-eng.htm 28 Oct 2010 08:00:00 GMT The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has called for the use of electrical discharge weapons (EDW) to be strictly regulated. In its annual report, which was published today, the CPT states that it understands the wish of national authorities to provide law enforcement officials with means enabling them to give a more graduated response to dangerous situations. The Committee acknowledges that the possession of less lethal weapons such as EDW may in some cases make it possible to avoid the use of firearms. However, it stresses that these weapons can cause acute pain and are open to abuse. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2010-10-26-eng.htm 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” from 21 September to 1 October 2010. It was the Committee’s ninth visit to this country. The CPT’s delegation focused on the treatment and conditions of detention of sentenced and remand prisoners, evaluating the progress made since its previous visits. A further area of interest was the treatment of social care home residents and of patients in the country’s three psychiatric hospitals. The delegation also considered the way in which persons are treated when they are deprived of their liberty by law enforcement agencies and the measures taken to investigate allegations of ill-treatment by the police. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2010-10-05-eng.htm 05 Oct 2010 07:45:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to Bulgaria in December 2008, together with the response of the Bulgarian authorities. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Bulgarian authorities. The main objective of the visit was to review progress as regards the implementation of previous CPT recommendations concerning conditions of detention in investigation detention facilities (IDFs) and prisons. The CPT also visited for the first time the Special Home for temporary placement of foreign nationals in Busmantsi. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2010-09-30-eng.htm 30 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Romania from 5 to 16 September 2010. In the course of the visit, the CPT's delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Romanian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits, in particular in the areas of detention by law enforcement agencies and imprisonment. The delegation also examined in detail the system and procedures in place to investigate cases of alleged ill-treatment by members of the police or prison staff of persons arrested or imprisoned. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rom/2010-09-23-eng.htm 23 Sep 2010 07:15:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to the Czech Republic from 7 to 16 September 2010. It was the CPT’s sixth visit to this country. In the course of the visit, particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained by the police and the implementation in practice of fundamental safeguards for the prevention of ill-treatment during police custody. The delegation also examined in detail various issues related to prison establishments, including health-care services provided to prisoners and the situation of juveniles. In addition, the delegation visited a psychiatric hospital and an educational institute for youth and children. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cze/2010-09-21-eng.htm 21 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its 4th periodic visit to Georgia, carried out in February 2010. The report has been made public at the request of the Georgian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2010-09-21-eng.htm 21 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to Romania in September/October 2009, together with the response of the Romanian authorities. These documents have been made public at the request of the Romanian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rom/2010-08-26-eng.htm 26 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) began a visit to the Transnistrian region (*) of Moldova on 21 July 2010. Against the background of the CPT’s reports on its previous visits to the region in 2000, 2003 and 2006, the intention of the delegation was to review the situation of persons deprived of their liberty in police and prison establishments. Following initial consultations with Sergey STEPANOV, the person responsible in the region for justice-related issues, the CPT’s delegation commenced a visit to the remand section (SIZO) of Colony No. 3 in Tiraspol on 22 July 2010. However, the delegation was informed that, unlike the Committee’s previous visits, it would not be allowed to interview remand prisoners in private. Such a restriction contradicts one of the fundamental characteristics of the preventive mechanism embodied by the CPT, namely the power to interview in private any person deprived of his or her liberty. Consequently, the Committee’s delegation decided to interrupt its visit to places of deprivation of liberty in the region until such time as the enjoyment of this power could be guaranteed. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2010-07-30-eng.htm 30 Jul 2010 08:45:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its 5th periodic visit to Belgium, carried out in September/October 2009. In the prisons sector, the CPT examined once again the question of overcrowding affecting the Belgian prison system (and, in particular, the situation in Jamioulx prison where the level of occupancy reached 150%). As regards the police, the CPT took note of the small number of advances made in respect of fundamental safeguards given to persons placed under administrative arrest. As a result of worrying information which it received earlier in the year, the attention of the CPT has also been drawn to the “’t Knipoogje” boarding establishment of the “’t Vurstjen” medico-educational institute at Evergem. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bel/2010-07-23-eng.htm 23 Jul 2010 06:45:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to the Czech Republic in October 2009, together with the response of the Czech Government. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Czech authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cze/2010-07-21-eng.htm 21 Jul 2010 10:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the proceedings of the “Conference on new partnerships for torture prevention in Europe”. The aim of this conference was to examine how existing national, European and universal monitoring bodies can best complement each other in the fight against torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places of detention in Europe today. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/documents/2010-07-19-eng.htm 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation visited the new detention facility of the F-type High-Security Closed Prison on the island of Imralı, in order to examine the conditions under which Abdullah Öcalan and five other inmates who had recently been transferred to the establishment were held. Particular attention was paid to communal activities offered to all prisoners and the application in practice of the prisoners’ right to receive visits from relatives and lawyers. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2010-07-09-eng.htm 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 GMT The response has been made public at the request of the Albanian authorities. It provides information on various measures taken by the authorities in the light of the recommendations made by the Committee in the visit report, in particular as regards the treatment of persons detained by the police and conditions of detention in remand prisons and pre-trial detention centres. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2010-07-02-eng.htm 02 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the response of the Swedish Government to the report on the CPT's most recent periodic visit to Sweden, in June 2009. The response has been made public at the request of the Swedish authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/swe/2010-07-01-eng.htm 01 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to the United Kingdom on 20 and 21 June 2010. The purpose of the visit was to examine the situation of Radislav KRSTIĆ, a prisoner convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) who is serving his sentence in the United Kingdom. On 7 May 2010, some two months after having been visited by a delegation of the CPT, this prisoner was assaulted by other inmates in his cell at Wakefield Prison. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2010-24-06-eng.htm 24 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT One of the main objectives of the visit was to examine the measures taken by the Lithuanian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the CPT after its 2008 visit to Kaunas Juvenile Remand Prison and Correction Home. The visit also provided an opportunity to review the treatment of persons detained in police establishments. Another issue addressed by the CPT's delegation was the alleged existence some years ago on Lithuanian territory of secret detention facilities operated by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) of the United States of America. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2010-06-23-eng.htm 23 Jun 2010 08:00:00 GMT 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 Italy from 14 to 18 June 2010. It was the Committee’s ninth visit to this country. During the visit, the delegation examined three issues: the provision of health care in prisons, further to the transfer of responsibility from the Prison Administration to the National Health Service; the policies adopted and measures taken to reduce the incidence of suicides and acts of self-harm in prison; and the system in place to investigate cases of alleged ill-treatment of arrested and/or detained persons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2010-06-22-eng.htm 22 Jun 2010 13:30:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has recently completed its second visit to Kosovo (from 8 to 15 June 2010). The visit was carried out on the basis of an agreement signed in 2004 between the Council of Europe and the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK). The delegation examined the treatment of detained persons and the conditions of detention in a variety of places of deprivation of liberty throughout Kosovo, including police stations, penitentiary establishments and psychiatric/social welfare institutions. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2010-06-18-eng.htm 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth periodic visit to Hungary in March/April 2009, together with the response of the Hungarian authorities. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Hungarian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/hun/2010-06-08-eng.htm 08 Jun 2010 10:00:00 GMT In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Albanian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police and to conditions of detention in police detention facilities. The delegation also examined in detail various issues related to prisons and pre-trial detention centres, including health-care services provided to prisoners and the situation of juveniles. In addition, the delegation visited a psychiatric hospital and, for the first time, three “supported homes” for disabled patients. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2010-05-28-eng.htm 28 May 2010 10:15:00 GMT The delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented, in particular in the areas of initial detention by law enforcement agencies, imprisonment and psychiatry. Further, the delegation visited for the first time in Armenia a social care home. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2010-05-27-eng.htm 27 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT The main purpose of the visit was to look into the new policy of the Italian authorities to intercept, at sea, migrants approaching Italy’s Southern Mediterranean maritime border and to send them back to Libya or other non-European States (frequently referred to as the “push-back” policy). In this context, the delegation carrying out the visit focused on push-back operations that took place between May and the end of July 2009 and sought to examine the system of safeguards in place to ensure that no one is sent to a country where there are substantial grounds for believing that he/she would run a real risk of being subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The delegation also examined the treatment afforded to migrants during the time that they were deprived of their liberty by the Italian authorities in the course of such operations. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2010-04-28-eng.htm 28 Apr 2010 08:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a one-week visit to the Russian Federation. The main purpose of the visit, which began on 13 April 2010, was to hold high-level talks with the Russian authorities on issues of common interest. After 19 visits to the Russian Federation, the CPT considered it important to review the state of its dialogue with the Russian authorities and to have an exchange of views on progress made towards implementation of the most important recommendations made by the Committee in the past. The aim of the visit was also to take stock of new developments in areas falling under the CPT’s mandate, in particular the proposed reforms of the penitentiary system and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2010-04-26-eng.htm 26 Apr 2010 07:45:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fifth periodic visit to Italy, carried out from 14 to 26 September 2008, together with the response of the Italian Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the Italian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2010-04-20-eng.htm 20 Apr 2010 08:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today published the report on its ad hoc May 2009 visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the response of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The May 2009 visit provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the periodic visit in March/April 2007. The CPT’s delegation examined in detail various issues related to Sarajevo and Zenica Prisons, including the regime and treatment of remand prisoners as well as of prisoners placed in administrative and disciplinary isolation and in the high-security unit. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bih/2010-03-31-eng.htm 31 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey from 15 to 22 March 2010. This was the CPT's first visit to the Channel Islands. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2010-29-03-eng.htm 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the response of the Moldovan Government to the report on the CPT's most recent visit to Moldova, in July 2009. The response has been made public at the request of the Moldovan authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2010-03-26-eng.htm 26 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT The main purpose of the visit was to examine the treatment of persons detained in relation to events which followed the Presidential election of 19 February 2008. In the aftermath of the election, on 1 March 2008, a police operation took place aimed at dispersing opposition rallies in Yerevan. Dozens of persons were arrested in the course of and following that operation, hundreds were injured and a number of persons died. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2010-03-19-eng.htm 19 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its February 2009 visit to Austria, together with the Austrian Government's response. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Austrian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/aut/2010-03-11-eng.htm 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its first periodic visit to Montenegro as an independent State, together with the Montenegrin authorities’ response. These documents have been made public at the request of the Montenegrin Government. The visit took place in September 2008. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mne/2010-03-09-eng.htm 09 Mar 2010 09:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) elected last week its new Bureau. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/members/elections/2010-03-08-eng.htm 08 Mar 2010 09:30:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation assessed progress made since the previous periodic visit in 2007 and the extent to which the CPT’s recommendations have been implemented, in particular in the areas of initial detention by the police, imprisonment and psychiatry. Further, the delegation visited for the first time in Georgia a social care institution. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2010-02-18-eng.htm 18 Feb 2010 09:30:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth periodic visit to the Slovak Republic, carried out in March/April 2009, together with the response of the Slovak Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the authorities of the Slovak Republic. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/svk/2010-02-11-eng.htm 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMT The delegation assessed progress made since the previous visit in 2006 and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented. Particular attention was paid to the conditions of detention of persons in prison, and to the care afforded to patients in psychiatric institutions. The operation of the various safeguards in place in An Garda Síochána (Police) Stations was also examined, and the delegation visited for the first time in Ireland an establishment for the intellectually disabled. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/irl/2010-02-09-eng.htm 09 Feb 2010 15:00:00 GMT The delegation visited the F-type High-Security Closed Prison on the island of Imralı, in order to examine the conditions under which Abdullah Öcalan and other inmates of the establishment were held. Particular attention was paid to communal activities offered to the prisoners and the application in practice of the prisoners’ right to receive visits from relatives and lawyers. All the prisoners were interviewed by the delegation. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2010-02-01-eng.htm 01 Feb 2010 15:00:00 GMT The main objective of the talks was to gauge the commitment of the Greek authorities to combating impunity within the police, to improving the conditions of detention of irregular migrants and to addressing long-standing problems in the prison system. In this context, the delegation was keen to learn about the measures already taken or being considered by the new Government to tackle the problems found by the CPT in the course of its visits in recent years. The talks were carried out in a spirit of openness and all parties expressed their desire to improve cooperation. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2010-01-21-eng.htm 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its visit to Abkhazia, Georgia, carried out in April/May 2009. The report has been made public at the request of the Georgian authorities. During the visit, which began in Sukhumi on 27 April 2009, the CPT’s delegation was granted access to all places of deprivation of liberty which it wished to visit and was able to interview in private persons deprived of their liberty. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2009-12-23-eng.htm 23 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT During the 2007 visit, the CPT reviewed the measures taken by the Latvian authorities following the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the fundamental safeguards against ill-treatment offered to persons deprived of their liberty by the police and to conditions of detention in police “short-term isolators”. The Committee also examined in detail various issues related to prisons, in particular the situation of juvenile and female prisoners as well as the regime and security measures applied to life-sentenced prisoners. In addition, the CPT visited a psychiatric hospital and a social welfare institution, where it examined the treatment and living conditions of patients/residents and the legal safeguards in the context of admission procedures. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lva/2009-12-15-eng.htm 15 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT During the visit, the CPT’s delegation heard a remarkably large number of credible and consistent allegations of police ill-treatment in the context of the post-election events in April 2009. In its report, the CPT recommends, together with other measures, that the methods used by members of the Special-Purpose Police Force “Fulger” and other police forces involved in the apprehension of persons in the context of crowd-control situations be subject to closer and more effective independent supervision. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2009-12-14-eng.htm 14 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth periodic visit to Sweden, which took place in June 2009. The report has been made public at the request of the Swedish Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/swe/2009-12-11-eng.htm 11 Dec 2009 00:01:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review progress made as regards the treatment and conditions of detention of prisoners, in the light of the recommendations made by the Committee after the 2007 visit to Latvia. To that end, the CPT’s delegation visited Jēkabpils Prison and the units for life-sentenced prisoners at Daugavgrīvas and Jelgava Prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lva/2009-12-10-eng.htm 10 Dec 2009 16:00:00 GMT The main objectives of this visit were to examine the situation of prisoners at Rémire-Montjoly Prison, the only prison in this French administrative region, as well as the treatment of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty under aliens legislation. The CPT also reviewed the conditions of detention of persons in police custody and the implementation of fundamental safeguards against ill-treatment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fra/2009-12-10-eng.htm 10 Dec 2009 00:01:01 GMT The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since the previous visit in 2004 and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented, in particular in the areas of police custody, imprisonment (with a focus on prisoners classified as "dangerous") and the detention of foreign nationals under aliens legislation. It also visited for the first time in Poland a social care home. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/pol/2009-12-10-eng.htm 10 Dec 2009 00:01:00 GMT In England, the CPT’s delegation examined the safeguards afforded to persons deprived of their liberty by the police as well as the treatment of inmates and conditions of detention in three local prisons (Manchester, Wandsworth and Woodhill) and a juvenile young offender institution (Huntercombe). In Northern Ireland, the delegation looked at developments as regards policing and in the two adult male prisons (Maghaberry and Magilligan) since the Committee’s last visit there in 1999. In both these parts of the country, the situation of immigration detainees was also examined, including through a visit to an immigration removal centre (Harmondsworth). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2009-12-08-eng.htm 08 Dec 2009 11:00:00 GMT In 2010, as part of its programme of “periodic” visits, the CPT intends to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the following ten countries: Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Romania, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/visits/2009-12-03-eng.htm 03 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to Azerbaijan in December 2008, together with the response of the Azerbaijani Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the Azerbaijani authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/aze/2009-11-26-eng.htm 26 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT The President of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), Mauro Palma, today called on countries to take effective measures to end the practice of impunity in Europe for State officials suspected of perpetrating acts of torture and ill-treatment, a problem encountered by the CPT in many countries. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2009-11-06-eng.htm 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT During the 20 years of its existence, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has been at the forefront of efforts in Europe to stamp out ill-treatment by State officials. It has conducted some 270 visits in 47 European States, examining the situation in thousands of places of detention. In its 19th General Report, published today, the CPT takes stock of what has been achieved over the last two decades and reflects on the challenges that lie ahead. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2009-10-20-eng.htm 20 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Belgian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. It focused in particular on the situation in prisons and on the safeguards afforded to persons in police custody. The delegation also visited for the first time the detention centre for irregular migrants in Vottem, the boarding school “’t Knipoogje” in Evergem and the “Fond’ Roy” psychiatric clinic in Uccle. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bel/2009-10-14-eng.htm 14 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT The CPT’s March 2007 visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the first periodic visit in April/May 2003 and the ad hoc visit in December 2004. The Committee’s delegation examined in detail various issues related to prisons, including the regime and treatment of remand prisoners and those prisoners placed in isolation. Particular concerns were expressed in the visit report about the unsafe nature of some of the prisons visited, notably those in Zenica and Doboj, where it appeared that prison staff were not in complete control. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bih/2009-10-14-eng.htm 14 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review the situation of residents and patients at Nucet Medico-Social Centre and at Oradea Hospital for Neurology and Psychiatry (Bihor county), in the light of the recommendations and comments made by the Committee concerning these two establishments in its report on the 2006 visit. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rom/2009-10-07-eng.htm 07 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT The visit provided the opportunity to assess progress made since the previous periodic visit in September 2005 and the ad hoc visits of February 2007 and September 2008. In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation examined the treatment and conditions of detention of persons held in a number of prisons and in aliens detention centres, including in the eastern Aegean and the Evros region. The delegation also visited police and border guard establishments with a view to examining the conditions of detention and the safeguards in place, both in relation to persons suspected of a criminal offence and those held under Aliens legislation. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2009-10-05-eng.htm 05 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT The visit, which began on 9 September 2009, was the CPT’s fifth periodic visit to this country. The CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since the previous periodic visit in 2005 and the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented, in particular in the areas of initial detention by Internal Affairs bodies, imprisonment, detention of foreign nationals under aliens legislation, and psychiatry. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2009-09-23-eng.htm 23 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the responses of the Government of Lithuania to the report on the CPT's most recent visit to Lithuania, in April 2008. The responses have been made public at the request of the Lithuanian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2009-09-15-eng.htm 15 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main purpose of the visit was to assess the manner in which investigations were and are being carried out into cases possibly involving ill-treatment by members of police forces in the context of the post-election events in April 2009 in Chişinău. The visit also provided an opportunity to review the treatment of persons detained by the police. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2009-08-04-eng.htm 04 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT During the visit, the delegation examined various issues pertaining to the Government’s new policy to intercept at sea irregular migrants approaching Italy’s Southern Mediterranean border and send them back to Libya. In particular, the delegation focused its attention on the system of safeguards in place to ensure that no one is sent to a country where there are substantial grounds for believing that he/she would run a real risk of being subjected to torture or ill-treatment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2009-04-08-eng.htm 04 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation paid particular attention to the safeguards offered to persons detained by the police, the restrictions imposed on remand prisoners, and the situation of sentenced prisoners held under conditions of isolation and in high-security units. The conditions of detention of foreign nationals held in immigration centres and in prisons were also examined. In addition, the delegation visited two psychiatric establishments and a home for young persons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/swe/2009-07-23-eng.htm 23 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT In the course of this visit, the CPT reviewed the treatment of persons detained by law enforcement officials and examined the conditions of detention in police and border guard stations as well as in special facilities for illegal migrants, in order to evaluate progress made since the CPT’s last visit to Greece in 2007. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2009-06-30-eng.htm 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT During the 2008 visit, the CPT reviewed the measures taken by the Lithuanian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police and to conditions of detention in police holding facilities. The CPT’s delegation also examined in detail various issues related to prisons, including the situation of juvenile and life-sentenced prisoners. Further, for the first time in Lithuania, the Committee’s delegation visited a forensic psychiatric hospital and a social welfare institution. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2009-06-25-eng.htm 25 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Turkish authorities in response to recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained by law enforcement agencies and to the conditions under which immigration detainees are held in detention centres for foreigners. The delegation also examined in detail various issues related to prisons, including the activities offered to prisoners and health-care services. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2009-06-23-eng.htm 23 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation reviewed measures taken by the Swedish authorities in response to recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. Particular attention was paid to the safeguards offered to persons detained by the police, the restrictions imposed on remand prisoners, and the situation of sentenced prisoners held under conditions of isolation and in high-security units. The conditions of detention of foreign nationals held in immigration centres and in prisons were also examined. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/swe/2009-06-22-eng.htm 22 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the response of the Government of Finland to the report on the CPT's most recent visit to Finland, in April 2008. The response has been made public at the request of the Finnish authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fin/2009-06-17-eng.htm 17 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to examine the situation of patients held in psychiatric hospitals, in particular as regards living conditions and treatment (including electroconvulsive therapy - ECT). The delegation also looked into the legal safeguards related to involuntary placement procedures and their implementation in practice. For the first time in Turkey, the delegation also visited two social welfare institutions. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2009-05-28-eng.htm 28 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main purpose of the 2007 visit was to examine the situation of foreign nationals detained under aliens legislation, and to review progress made in this area in the light of the recommendations contained in the CPT’s report on its previous visit to Ukraine in 2005. Particular attention was paid to the Temporary holding centre in Pavshino, an establishment about which the Committee had expressed serious concerns in the past and had asked that it be withdrawn from service. In their response, the Ukrainian authorities refer to a decision to close down the Pavshino Centre by the end of 2008. This step has been made possible by the opening in 2008 of two new centres (in Chernigin and Volyn regions) designed for the detention of foreigners under aliens legislation. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2009-05-19-eng.htm 19 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT The visit provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the periodic visit in March/April 2007. The CPT’s delegation examined in detail various issues related to Sarajevo and Zenica Prisons, including the regime and treatment of remand prisoners, and of those prisoners placed in administrative and disciplinary isolation and in the high-security unit. The delegation also focused its attention on the situation of forensic psychiatric patients held in Zenica Prison and at Sokolac Psychiatric Hospital, and reviewed progress towards the establishment of a new forensic psychiatric unit for the whole country. A brief visit was paid to the recently opened juvenile unit in East Sarajevo Prison. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bih/2009-05-19-eng.htm 19 May 2009 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has recently carried out an eight-day visit to Abkhazia, Georgia. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2009-05-07-eng.htm 07 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT The delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Luxembourg authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. It focused in particular on the safeguards afforded to persons deprived of their liberty by the police, and conditions at Luxembourg Prison and the State Socio-Educational Centre at Dreiborn. In addition, the delegation visited the Neuro-psychiatric hospital at Ettelbruck, where it paid special attention to the living conditions and treatment of patients placed in closed units for minors and adults. The legal safeguards for the procedure of involuntary placement of mentally ill persons were also examined. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lux/2009-04-30-eng.htm 30 Apr 2009 10:00:00 GMT The visit focused on the Republic of Ingushetia and the Chechen Republic, where the delegation reviewed the treatment of persons detained by Internal Affairs structures, Federal agencies and the penitentiary service, and examined the action taken by the competent authorities in respect of complaints and other indications of ill-treatment. The delegation also visited the SIZO (pre-trial establishment) in Pyatigorsk, Stavropol Kraï, to which remand prisoners from Ingushetia are being sent due to the continuing absence of a SIZO in that republic. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2009-04-28-eng.htm 28 Apr 2009 16:00:00 GMT The CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Hungarian authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. In particular, the delegation followed up on the safeguards offered to persons detained by the police, the holding of remand prisoners on police premises and the treatment of foreign nationals held under aliens legislation. The delegation also examined in detail various issues related to prisons, including the situation of prisoners held in a Maximum Security Unit (KBK) and other inmates considered to require high security arrangements (Grade 4 prisoners). For the first time in Hungary, it visited a prison establishment in which private contractors are involved, in Tizsalök. In addition, the delegation visited civil psychiatric establishments/units and reviewed the situation of people undergoing forensic psychiatric assessment and prisoners receiving treatment or under observation in the Judicial and Observation Psychiatric Institute (IMEI). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/hun/2009-04-09-eng.htm 09 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT The CPT's delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Slovak authorities in response to recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the situation of remand prisoners (including juveniles) and persons serving life-sentences. The treatment of persons apprehended by the police and the conditions of detention of foreign nationals held in immigration centres were also examined. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/svk/2009-04-09-eng.htm 09 Apr 2009 10:00:00 GMT During the 2008 visit, the CPT reviewed the measures taken by the Portuguese authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee after previous visits. In this connection, particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police. The CPT also examined in detail various issues concerning prisons, including the treatment of high security prisoners and drug-related matters. In addition, the Committee’s delegation visited two psychiatric hospitals, where it focused on the living conditions as well as the legal safeguards afforded to patients in the context of the involuntary admission procedure and of consent to treatment. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/prt/2009-03-19-eng.htm 19 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the response of the Government of Denmark to the report on the CPT's most recent visit to that country, in February 2008. The response has been made public at the request of the Danish authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/dnk/2009-03-13-eng.htm 13 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Austria from 15 to 25 February 2009. It was the CPT’s fifth visit to Austria. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/aut/2009-03-03-eng.htm 03 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMT The purpose of the visit was to examine the modalities of care and custody of José Ignacio DE JUANA CHAOS, a prisoner on hunger strike who, further to a judicial decision, was fed against his will while hospitalized. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/esp/2009-02-03-eng.htm 02 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMT One of the main objectives of the visit was to examine the application of testicular pulpectomy (“surgical castration”) on sentenced sex-offenders. In the CPT's view, surgical castration of detained sex offenders amounts to degrading treatment and the Committee calls upon the Czech authorities to end immediately this practice http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cze/2009-02-05-eng.htm 05 Feb 2009 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the response of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the report on the CPT's most recent visit to that country, in June 2007. The response has been made public at the request of the Dutch authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nld/2009-02-04-eng.htm 04 Feb 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review progress made as regards the implementation of the recommendations made by the CPT following its previous visits to Albania. Particular attention was paid to the treatment of persons detained by the police and conditions of detention in remand prisons and pre-trial detention centres. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2009-01-21-eng.htm 21 Jan 2009 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published today the report on its first visit to Kosovo in March 2007, together with the response of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK). Both documents have been made public at the request of UNMIK. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2009-01-20-eng.htm 20 Jan 2009 10:00:00 GMT At the request of the Finnish authorities, the Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth visit to Finland, carried out in April 2008 http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fin/2009-01-20-eng.htm 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its periodic visit to Serbia in 2007, together with the Serbian authorities’ response. These documents have been made public at the request of the Serbian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2009-01-14-eng.htm 14 Jan 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review progress made as regards the implementation of previous CPT recommendations, in particular those contained in the report on the 2006 periodic visit to Bulgaria. The visit focused on the treatment of persons detained by the police, the situation of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty, and conditions of detention in investigation detention facilities and prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2009-01-05-eng.htm 05 Jan 2009 10:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to review improvements made in the light of the recommendations in the reports on previous CPT visits to Azerbaijan, concerning the treatment of prisoners – including inmates sentenced to life imprisonment – and psychiatric patients. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/aze/2008-12-16-eng.htm 16 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT Representatives of the European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) recently held high-level talks in Pristina, in order to discuss the modalities to enable the CPT to continue its work in Kosovo in line with the existing Agreement signed in August 2004 between the Council of Europe and the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK). http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2008-12-15-eng.htm 15 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT At the request of the Romanian authorities, the Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its sixth visit to Romania, carried out in June 2006, together with the response of the Romanian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rom/2008-12-11-eng.htm 11 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a two-week visit to the United Kingdom. The visit, which began on 18 November 2008, was the CPT’s sixth periodic visit to that country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2008-12-05-eng.htm 05 Dec 2008 10:01:00 GMT A delegation of the European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to French Guyana from 25 November to 1 December 2008. The main objectives of the visit were to examine the situation at Remire Montjoly Prison, the only prison in this French administrative region, as well as the situation of foreign nationals detained under aliens legislation. The delegation also reviewed the treatment of persons held by the police, the gendarmerie and the customs administration. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fra/2008-12-05-eng.htm 05 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth periodic visit to Moldova in September 2007, together with the response of the Moldovan authorities. The Moldovan authorities have also authorised the publication of two earlier CPT reports, concerning ad hoc visits carried out in November 2005 and March 2006. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2008-12-04-eng.htm 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT In 2009, as part of its programme of “periodic” visits, the CPT intends to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the following ten countries: Austria, Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/visits/2008-11-25-eng.htm 25 Nov 2008 10:00:00 GMT During the 2007 visit, the CPT followed up a certain number of issues examined during previous visits, in particular the fundamental safeguards against ill-treatment offered to persons in police custody and the situation of persons deprived of their liberty under aliens legislation. Regarding prisons, the CPT paid particular attention to the conditions of detention of persons against whom a compulsory placement measure or institutional therapeutic measures have been ordered, as well as to conditions in the security units. It also examined the situation of juveniles and young adults in education centres. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/che/2008-11-13-eng.htm 13 Nov 2008 10:00:00 GMT The 2008 visit focused on the treatment and conditions of detention of sentenced and remand prisoners. In this context, it assessed developments in relation to prison healthcare services and examined the use of means of restraint within prison. Particular attention was also paid to the issue of safeguards against ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by law enforcement officials. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2008-11-04-eng.htm 04 Nov 2008 10:00:00 GMT Representatives of the European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) recently went to Ankara for talks with Mehmet Ali ŞAHIN, Minister of Justice, and senior officials of the Ministries of Justice, the Interior, Foreign Affairs, National Defence and the Turkish Armed Forces. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2008-10-20-eng.htm 20 Oct 2008 10:00:00 GMT The visit focussed on the City of Moscow, the Republic of Udmurtia and the Regions of Arkhangelsk and Vologda. The CPT’s delegation paid particular attention to the treatment of persons detained by Internal Affairs agencies, including foreign nationals and administrative detainees. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2008-10-09-eng.htm 09 Oct 2008 16:00:00 GMT The report reviews the situation of persons detained by the police, including immigration detainees. The information gathered during the visit indicated that ill-treatment by the police remained a problem in Croatia. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/hrv/2008-10-09-eng.htm 09 Oct 2008 10:00:00 GMT The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment of persons detained by law enforcement agencies. Particular attention was paid to the situation of irregular migrants detained under Aliens legislation who are held in either police/border guard stations or in special holding facilities under the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2008-10-07-eng.htm 07 Oct 2008 10:00:00 GMT From 29 September to 2 October, representatives of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) had a series of contacts in Tbilisi and Sukhumi aimed at enabling the Committee to exercise its mandate throughout the territory of Georgia. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2008-10-03-eng.htm 03 Oct 2008 15:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Italy from 14 to 26 September 2008. It was the CPT’s seventh visit to this country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2008-10-02-eng.htm 02 Oct 2008 10:00:00 GMT During the December 2007 visit, the CPT's delegation re-examined the safeguards afforded to persons detained by the police under the Terrorism Act 2000 as well as the conditions of detention of such persons at Paddington Green High Security Police Station. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2008-10-01-eng.htm 01 Oct 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Danish government has requested the publication of the report of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on its visit to Denmark in February 2008. The visit was carried out within the framework of the CPT’s programme of periodic visits for 2008; it was the Committee’s fourth visit to Denmark. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/dnk/2008-09-25-eng.htm 25 Sep 2008 10:00:00 GMT The visit, which began on 15 September 2008, was the CPT’s first periodic visit to Montenegro as an independent State. The CPT had already visited Montenegro in the past as part of its visit to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2004. The recent visit was therefore an occasion to assess progress made in the last four years and the extent to which the CPT’s recommendations had been implemented. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mne/2008-09-25-eng.htm 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT In its 18th General Report to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, published today, the CPT provides details on the 20 visits which it has carried out during the last twelve months. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2008-09-18-eng.htm 18 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT By letter of 29 August 2008, the Finnish authorities provided their response to the CPT's preliminary observations made at the end of its visit to Finland in April 2008. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fin/2008-09-17-eng.htm 17 Sep 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published today the report on its October 2007 ad hoc visit to "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" , together with the authorities’ response. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2008-09-10-eng.htm 10 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” from 30 June to 3 July 2008. The main objective of the visit was to examine the steps taken by the national authorities to implement recommendations made by the CPT after the May 2006 and October 2007 visits. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2008-07-04-eng.htm 04 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has today published the report on its visit to Liechtenstein in February 2007, together with the response of the Liechtenstein Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lie/2008-07-03-eng.htm 03 Jul 2008 11:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to Albania from 16 to 20 June 2008. The main objective of the visit was to review progress made as regards the implementation of the recommendations made by the CPT following its May/June 2005 and March 2006 visits to Albania. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2008-06-26-eng.htm 26 Jun 2008 10:00:00 GMT The CPT’s fourth periodic visit to Finland, carried out in April 2008, provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the previous periodic visit in 2003. The preliminary observations are published with the agreement of the Finnish authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fin/2008-06-10-eng.htm 10 Jun 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Malta from 20 to 26 May 2008. It was the Committee's sixth visit to Malta since 1990. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mlt/2008-05-30-eng.htm 30 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Cyprus from 12 to 19 May 2008. It was the Committee's fifth visit to Cyprus. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cyp/2008-05-22-eng.htm 22 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Lithuania from 21 to 30 April 2008. It was the CPT’s third visit to this country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2008-05-06-eng.htm 06 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Finland from 20 to 30 April 2008. It was the CPT’s fourth periodic visit to Finland. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fin/2008-05-05-eng.htm 05 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its fourth visit to Cyprus in December 2004, together with the responses of the Cypriot authorities. These documents have been made public at the request of the Cypriot Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cyp/2008-04-15-eng.htm 15 Apr 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to the North Caucasian region of the Russian Federation from 27 March to 3 April 2008. It was the CPT’s tenth visit to this part of the Federation since the year 2000. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2008-04-08-eng.htm 08 Apr 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to the Czech Republic from 25 March to 2 April 2008. One of the main objectives of the visit was to examine the application of the measure of surgical castration to persons sentenced to “protective treatment”. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/cze/2008-04-04-eng.htm 04 Apr 2008 16:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a three-day visit to Armenia. The main purpose of the visit, which began on 15 March 2008, was to examine the treatment of persons detained in relation to events which followed the recent Presidential election in Armenia. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2008-03-19-eng.htm 19 Mar 2008 16:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to Latvia in May 2004, together with the responses of the Latvian authorities. These documents have been made public at the request of the Latvian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lva/2008-03-13-eng.htm 13 Mar 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) elected yesterday its new Bureau. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/members/elections/2008-03-07-eng.htm 07 Mar 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its visit to Turkey in May 2007, together with the response of the Turkish Government. During that visit, the CPT's delegation went to Imralı High-Security Closed Prison and examined the treatment of the establishment's sole inmate, Abdullah Öcalan. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/tur/2008-03-06-eng.htm 06 Mar 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published the report on its fourth periodic visit to Bulgaria in September 2006, together with the Bulgarian authorities’ responses. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Bulgarian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/bgr/2008-02-28-eng.htm 28 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has today published the report on its visit to San Marino from 8 to 11 February 2005, together with the San Marino Government's response. These documents have been made public with the agreement of the San Marino authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/smr/2008-02-26-eng.htm 26 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Denmark from 11 to 20 February 2008. It was the CPT’s fourth periodic visit to Denmark. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/dnk/2008-02-26-eng.htm 26 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published the report on its third periodic visit to Slovenia in February 2006, together with the Slovenian authorities’ response. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Slovenian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/svn/2008-02-15-eng.htm 15 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published today the report on its sixth visit to "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" in May 2006 , together with the authorities’ response. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2008-02-13-eng.htm 13 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Greek government has requested the publication of the report of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on an ad hoc visit to Greece in February 2007, together with the authorities’ response. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/grc/2008-02-08-eng.htm 08 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published the report on its fourth periodic visit to the Netherlands in June 2007. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/nld/2008-02-05-eng.htm 05 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Portugal from 14 to 25 January 2008. It was the CPT’s seventh visit to Portugal. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/prt/2008-02-01-eng.htm 01 Feb 2008 10:00:00 GMT Today's publication concerns the preliminary observations made by the CPT's delegation to the Swiss authorities at the end of the visit. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/che/2008-01-07-eng.htm 07 Jan 2008 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to Ukraine from 5 to 10 December 2007. The main purpose of the visit was to examine the situation of foreign nationals detained under aliens legislation, and to review progress made in this area in the light of the recommendations contained in the CPT’s report on its previous visit to Ukraine in 2005. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ukr/2007-12-14-eng.htm 14 Dec 2007 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Latvia from 27 November to 7 December 2007. It was the CPT’s fourth visit to this country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/lva/2007-12-14-eng.htm 14 Dec 2007 10:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published the report on its second periodic visit to Armenia in April 2006, together with the Armenian authorities’ response. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Armenian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/arm/2007-12-13-eng.htm 13 Dec 2007 10:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to the United Kingdom from 2 to 6 December 2007. The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment and conditions of detention of two persons convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), who are serving their sentences at Frankland and Shotts Prisons. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/gbr/2007-12-12-eng.htm 12 Dec 2007 10:00:00 GMT The Danish Government has requested the publication of this response. The report of the CPT on its 2002 visit to Denmark is set out in document CPT/Inf (2002) 18. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/dnk/2007-46-inf-eng.htm 12 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has today published the report on its visit to France from 27 September to 9 October 2006, together with the French Government's response. These documents have been made public with the agreement of the French authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/fra/2007-12-10-eng.htm 10 Dec 2007 15:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a two-week visit to Serbia. The visit, which began on 19 November 2007, was the CPT’s second periodic visit to Serbia. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/srb/2007-12-07-eng.htm 07 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT In 2008, as part of its programme of regular "periodic" visits, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) intends to examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty in the following ten countries: Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Russian Federation, United Kingdom http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/visits/2007-12-04-eng.htm 04 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT The CPT’s fourth periodic visit to Moldova, carried out in September 2007, provided an opportunity to assess the progress made since the previous periodic visit in 2004 and the ad hoc visit in November 2005. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2007-11-07-eng.htm 07 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published a report on its third periodic visit to Georgia, which took place in March/April 2007. The report has been made public at the request of the Georgian authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/geo/2007-10-25-eng.htm 25 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a visit to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” from 14 to 18 October 2007. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mkd/2007-10-22-eng.htm 22 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a two-week visit to Switzerland. The visit, which began on 24 September 2007, was the CPT's fifth visit to this country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/che/2007-10-19-eng.htm 19 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has today published a report on its fourth periodic visit to Ireland, which took place in October 2006, together with the response of the Irish Government. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Irish authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/irl/2007-10-10-eng.htm 10 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a two-week visit to Spain. The visit, which began on 19 September 2007, was the CPT’s fifth periodic visit to that country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/esp/2007-10-04-eng.htm 04 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out an eleven-day visit to Moldova. The visit, which began on 14 September 2007, was the CPT’s fourth periodic visit to that country. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mda/2007-09-26-eng.htm 26 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a one-week visit to the Russian Federation. The visit, which began on 3 September 2007, focused on the treatment of prisoners in the Chelyabinsk Region of the Russian Federation. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/rus/2007-09-17-eng.htm 17 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT In its 17th General Report published today, the CPT denounces secret detention, an illegal practice that has been resorted to in particular in the context of the fight against terrorism. The General Report provides details on the 17 visits carried out by the CPT during the last twelve months. http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/annual/press/2007-09-14-eng.htm 14 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its most recent visit to Malta (June 2005), together with the responses of the Maltese Government. These documents have been made public at the request of the Maltese authorities. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/mlt/2007-09-10-eng.htm 10 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT The Council of Europe's Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today its report on the ad hoc visit to Albania in March 2006, together with the Albanian authorities’ response. Both documents have been made public at the request of the Albanian Government. http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/alb/2007-09-06-eng.htm 06 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT