The State party should ensure that all allegations of violations committed by law enforcement
officials, and in particular any deaths in detention, are investigated promptly, independently and
impartially. It should also ensure the right of victims of police misconduct to obtain redress and fair
and adequate compensation, as provided for in article 14 of the Convention. The State party should
expedite the ongoing review process and provide the Committee with detailed information on the
results of this process.
Excessive use of force, including killings, by law enforcement officials
(16) The Committee is concerned at reports emerging of alleged excessive use of force, such as the use of
physical violence and tear gas, by law enforcement officials during the “Ungdomshus” Youth House riots in
Copenhagen in March 2007. The Committee also notes with concern reports suggesting that a number of persons
had been killed by Danish law enforcement officials over the past two years (arts. 10, 12, 13, 14 and 16).
The State party should review the existing framework to handle allegations of excessive use of force,
including the use of weapons, by law enforcement officials to ensure its compliance with the
Convention. The State party should ensure prompt and impartial investigations into all complaints
or allegations of misconduct, in particular when a person dies or is seriously injured following
contact with law enforcement officials. In addition, the State party should review and strengthen its
education and training programmes relating to the use of force, including the use of weapons, by law
enforcement officials in order to ensure that the use of force is strictly limited to that required to
perform their duties.
Long waiting periods in asylum centres
(17) Despite the measures taken to improve the living conditions and activities in asylum centres, in particular the
conditions for asylum-seeking families with children, the Committee is concerned at unduly long waiting periods in
asylum centres and the negative psychological effects of long-term waiting and of the uncertainty of daily life on
asylum-seekers (art. 16).
The State party, while improving the living conditions in asylum centres, should take into
consideration the effects of long waiting periods and provide both children and adults living in
asylum centres with educational and recreational activities as well as adequate social and health
services.
Reform of Greenland’s judicial system
(18) The Committee notes with interest the proposals and recommendations of the Commission on Greenland’s
Judicial System (report No. 1442/2004), particularly with regard to the treatment of remand prisoners and other
detainees, the preparation of pre-sentence reports, the surrender or presentation to the court of documents or other
issues of importance in relation to the conduct of criminal proceedings, and the prison structure. It also notes with
interest the ongoing drafting of a new Special Criminal Code and a new Special Administration of Justice Act for
Greenland.
The State party should expedite the ongoing drafting and adoption of a new Special Criminal Code
and a new Special Administration of Justice Act for Greenland, ensuring that all provisions of these
new acts are in full conformity with the Convention as well as with other relevant international
standards.
(19) The Committee requests the State party to provide detailed statistical data, disaggregated by crime, ethnicity,
age and sex, on complaints relating to torture and ill-treatment allegedly committed by law enforcement officials
and on the related investigations, prosecutions, and penal or disciplinary sanctions. Information is further requested
on any compensation and rehabilitation provided to the victims.
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