16/03/2011 Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Strasbourg, 16.03.2011 - Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD), PACE Rapporteur on the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), has urged the Greek authorities to comply with European minimal requirements concerning the holding of illegal migrants and persons held in prisons.
“The CPT so rarely makes a public statement that it is a sign that there is a serious problem. Yesterday’s statement is the sixth in twenty years and the first concerning an EU member country. Back in 1997 the CPT criticised the poor conditions in which migrants were held in Greece. The CPT’s recommendations, based on findings in Greek detention centres in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, have not been implemented."
"The committee also pointed to the dramatic situation of the Greek prison system, which it considers unable to provide safe and secure custody for inmates. It is high time that European public opinion responded to this situation. Greece is required to co-operate fully with the CPT to protect the human dignity of all persons deprived of their liberty. This is an absolute obligation, vis-à-vis both the CPT and its European partners, who must not leave Greece to deal with the crisis caused by the massive arrival of refugees and migrants at its borders.”
Jean-Charles Gardetto will present his report on strengthening torture prevention mechanisms in Europe at the April session of the Parliamentary Assembly. The draft resolution adopted by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights on 8 March proposes that more action be taken in response to the Public Statements issued by the CPT.