Strengthening of the machinery of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Strengthening of the machinery of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Doc. 7619

11 July 1996

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION

presented by Mr JANSSON and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

The Assembly,

1.         Noting the highly valuable work of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT);

2.         Recalling its Recommendation 1257 (1995) on the conditions of detention in Council of Europe member states whereby it recommended the Committee of Ministers to invite the authorities of member states "to reinforce the structures and increase the resources of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment";

3.         Noting that Protocol No. 2 to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is a technical text introducing amendments with regard to the renewal of the CPT's membership and providing that members may be re-elected twice, along the lines of the system already followed in the European Commission of Human Rights;

4.         Considering that the entry into force of Protocol No. 2 will make it possible to avoid the current profusion of different terms of office expiry dates and thereby will greatly facilitate the CPT's work, in particular as regards the organisation of visits and the membership of delegations;

5.         Recalling that before Protocol No. 2 can enter into force, it must be ratified by all Parties to the Convention. To date, out of 30 Parties to the Convention, 21 have ratified or signed it without reservation as to ratification;

6.         Considering that reinforced structures and increased resources are necessary to ensure the proper functioning and the effectiveness of the CPT;

7.         Recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.          invite the authorities of the states Parties to the Convention which have not yet done so to ratify Protocol No. 2 to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

ii.          reinforce the structures and increase resources of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Signed[1]:

Jansson, Finland, LDR

J��tteenm�ki, Finland, LDR

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Tahiri, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", EDG

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

Guenov, Bulgaria, SOC

Schwimmer, Austria, EPP

Wohlwend, Liechtenstein, EPP

Rodeghiero, Italy, LDR

Bindig, Germany, SOC

Dees, Netherlands, LDR

Rhinow, Switzerland, LDR

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Loutfi, Bulgaria, LDR

Err, Luxembourg, SOC

[1]        SOC : Socialist Group

            EPP : Group of the European People's Party

            EDG : European Democratic Group

            LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

            UEL : Group of the Unified European Left