ID :
172159
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 11:11
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https://oananews.org//node/172159
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CPT publishes report on Turkey
STRASBOURG (A.A) - 31.03.2001 - The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published a 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.
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.
The report said nevertheless, a number of credible allegations of recent physical ill-treatment were received, which concerned mainly excessive use of force during apprehension. In response to a specific recommendation made by the Committee in this regard, the Turkish authorities have issued a circular to all central and provincial police units inter alia emphasising the need to avoid ill-treatment and excessive use of force.
Particular attention was paid during the visit to the conditions under which immigration detainees were held. In this connection, major shortcomings were found by the delegation in several of the detention centres visited, in particular at Agri and Edirne (e.g. severe overcrowding, dilapidated conditions, limited access to natural light, poor hygiene, lack of outdoor exercise, etc.)
Konya E-type Prison constituted an exception to this favourable situation; the delegation heard several allegations of physical ill-treatment by staff and it also gained the impression that inter-prisoner violence was a rather frequent occurrence in this establishment.
As regards conditions of detention, many of the prisons visited were overcrowded, barely coping with the ever-increasing prison population. Further, the possibilities for organised activities (such as work, education, vocational training or sports) were limited for the vast majority of prisoners, including juveniles. In the report, the CPT has also expressed serious concern about the inadequate provision of health care to prisoners and a dramatic shortage of doctors in prisons.
The committee, comprised of independent experts, have the right to visit and inspect prisons and police stations in member countries without giving information.
Committee reports are later sent to ministers committee, which is the decision organ of Council of Europe.
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.
The report said nevertheless, a number of credible allegations of recent physical ill-treatment were received, which concerned mainly excessive use of force during apprehension. In response to a specific recommendation made by the Committee in this regard, the Turkish authorities have issued a circular to all central and provincial police units inter alia emphasising the need to avoid ill-treatment and excessive use of force.
Particular attention was paid during the visit to the conditions under which immigration detainees were held. In this connection, major shortcomings were found by the delegation in several of the detention centres visited, in particular at Agri and Edirne (e.g. severe overcrowding, dilapidated conditions, limited access to natural light, poor hygiene, lack of outdoor exercise, etc.)
Konya E-type Prison constituted an exception to this favourable situation; the delegation heard several allegations of physical ill-treatment by staff and it also gained the impression that inter-prisoner violence was a rather frequent occurrence in this establishment.
As regards conditions of detention, many of the prisons visited were overcrowded, barely coping with the ever-increasing prison population. Further, the possibilities for organised activities (such as work, education, vocational training or sports) were limited for the vast majority of prisoners, including juveniles. In the report, the CPT has also expressed serious concern about the inadequate provision of health care to prisoners and a dramatic shortage of doctors in prisons.
The committee, comprised of independent experts, have the right to visit and inspect prisons and police stations in member countries without giving information.
Committee reports are later sent to ministers committee, which is the decision organ of Council of Europe.
