CAT/C/FRA/CO/7
does human rights and the provisions of the Convention. It is also concerned that the
Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Istanbul Protocol) is not part of the
training, including for the civilian and medical personnel who are involved in the custody
and treatment of anyone who has been arrested or is in prison. Lastly, it regrets the lack of
specific information on human rights training for private security personnel and on any
reduction in ill-treatment as a result of the training given to the police and the gendarmerie
(art. 10).
37.
The Committee recommends that the State party enhance the training courses
on human rights and the Convention given to contractual law enforcement agents,
constables, non-commissioned officers and volunteer deputy gendarmes and ensure
that the personnel of private security companies also receive such training. The
Committee also recommends that the State party systematically include the Istanbul
Protocol in all training for police officers and members of the gendarmerie, as well as
for the civilian and medical personnel who are involved in the custody and treatment
of any individual placed under arrest or in prison. The Committee further
recommends that the State party establish specific methods of assessing the results of
its training programmes on the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment.
Redress and rehabilitation
38.
The Committee takes note of the information provided by the State party about the
mechanisms established to provide redress and rehabilitation for victims, and specifically
the Victim Assistance Offices, which for the most past cater for victims of trafficking rather
than victims of torture and ill-treatment, and the measures taken to identify and address the
particular vulnerability of asylum seekers as part of the asylum procedure provided for in
article L-723-3 of the Code on the Entry and Residence of Aliens and the Right of Asylum.
However, the Committee is concerned about: (a) information received indicating that the
State party lacks a policy for the rehabilitation of victims of torture and that there are
problems with access to existing facilities; (b) the failure to systematically assess
vulnerability as early on in the asylum process as possible; (c) the shortage of resources
available to associations and other entities offering treatment and care tailored to victims of
torture, including asylum seekers; (d) the shortage of professionals sufficiently trained in
the identification and care of such persons; and (e) the lack of statistical data on the redress
and rehabilitation measures ordered by the courts for victims of torture and on the number
of asylum seekers who have benefited from such measures (arts. 2 and 13).
39.
Taking into account general comment No. 3 (2012) on the implementation of
article 14 by States parties, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a)
implement a policy for the rehabilitation of victims of torture and facilitate access to
rehabilitation facilities; (b) put in place stronger measures and arrangements for the
earliest possible detection and care of asylum seekers who have been subjected to
torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and (c) provide adequate training
and a sufficient number of professionals, increase the availability of care tailored to
this population group, and ensure the allocation of the necessary resources to
associations and other entities dealing with victims of torture so that they can meet the
needs in this area.
Follow-up procedure
40.
The Committee requests the State party to provide, by 13 May 2017, follow-up
information in response to the Committee’s recommendations contained in paragraphs 17
(c), 26 and 31.
8
GE.16-09568