Table of Contents
Foreword ……………………………………………………………………… 15
Summary ……………………………………………………………………… 16
1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………….. 18
1.1 Methodology ……………………………………………………………. 18
1.2 Terminology
…………………………………………………………. 19
1.3 Summary of the existing framework against torture ……………………. 19
1.4 Existing compilations of torture-prevention materials ………………… 10
2. OSCE field operation activity: combating and preventing torture and
ill-treatment ………………………………………………………………... 13
2.1 Overview of OSCE field operations …………………………………… 13
2.2 OSCE field operations and international commitments ………………… 13
2.3 Summary of field operation activities in torture prevention ………….. 14
2.4 The field operations ………………………………………………........ 15
2.4.1 Central Asia ………………………………………………............. 15
2.4.2 Eastern Europe ………………………………………………........ 17
2.4.3 South Caucasus ………………………………………………........ 18
2.4.4 South-Eastern Europe …………………………………………….. 20
3. OSCE: obstacles and lessons learned …………………………………… 21
3.1 Obstacles identified by OSCE field operations ………………………. 21
3.2 Lessons learned: OSCE experience …………………………………… 24
3.3 OSCE experience: planning and implementing a torture-prevention
Strategy ………………………………………………………………... 28
3.4 Counter-terrorism strategies in the OSCE area and torture: upholding
OSCE principles ………………………………………………………. 29
4. The OSCE and implementation of the Optional Protocol to the UN
Convention against Torture …………………………………………….. 32
4.1 Overview of the Protocol: national preventive mechanisms and the
UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture ……………………. 32
4.2 OPCAT in the OSCE area …………………………………………….. 33
4.3 ODIHR: Supporting the implementation of OPCAT …………………… 35
4.4 Implementation of OPCAT in the OSCE area: national perspectives … 36
4.4.1 Ombudsman offices and NGOs as NPMs ………………………….. 36
4.4.2 The Estonian NPM experience …………………………………… 38
4.4.3 Detention monitoring: some country experiences ………………… 39
4.5 The UN Subcommittee for the Preventions of Torture’s relationship
with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and NPMs ……….. 42
Annex I: Torture and cruel or degrading treatment or punishment: causes
and prevention (A questionnaire for OSCE Field Operations) ……….. 43
3