CAT/C/SVK/CO/2
In line with the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
of 2007 (CRC/C/SVK/CO/2, para. 68), the Committee recommends that the State
party:
(a)
Implement the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the
Administration of Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules) adopted in 1985, and the United
Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (the Havana
Rules), adopted in 1990;
(b)
Ensure that juveniles are held in detention only as a last resort and in
strict compliance with the law, and ensure regular review of the conditions of
detention of juveniles;
(c)
Set up a training programme for judges to specialize in juveniles,
including on the application of non-custodial measures;
(d)
If necessary, seek technical assistance and other cooperation from the
Interagency Panel on Juvenile Justice.
9.
Allegations of torture and ill-treatment in police custody
13.
The Committee is concerned about significant allegations of ill-treatment of
detainees by law enforcement officers, including slaps, punches, kicks or blows with hard
objects, as well as of the death of a man in 2001 after brutal police questioning. It is also
concerned about the practice of handcuffing detainees for extended periods to fixtures in
corridors or offices (arts. 12 and 16).
The State party should take appropriate measures to ensure that all allegations of
torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are promptly and impartially
investigated, perpetrators duly prosecuted and, if found guilty, convicted to penalties
taking into account the grave nature of their acts, and that the victims are adequately
compensated, including their full rehabilitation. It should also end the practice of
handcuffing detainees for extended periods and any other ill-treatment of suspects
while they are in detention.
10.
Sterilizations of Roma women
14.
The Committee is deeply concerned about allegations of continued involuntary
sterilization of Roma women.
The State party should:
(a)
Take urgent measures to investigate promptly, impartially, thoroughly
and effectively all allegations of involuntary sterilization of Roma women, prosecute
and punish the perpetrators and provide the victims with fair and adequate
compensation;
(b)
Effectively enforce the Health-care Act (2004) by issuing guidelines and
conducting training of public officials, including on the criminal liability of medical
personnel conducting sterilizations without free, full and informed consent, and on
how to obtain such consent from women undergoing sterilization.
11.
The Roma minority
15.
The Committee is concerned about reports of mistreatment of Roma by police
officers during arrest and while in custody. It is also concerned about the high percentage of
Roma children in schools for children with mental disabilities. It is further concerned about
discrimination against the Roma minority, which has led to violations of the rights
protected under the Convention (arts. 10 and 16).
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