Kosovo/Kosova As Seen, As Told after the conclusion of the investigation, he would be fired. PE/03/036/99. 20 M/1318. 21 M/1257. 22 Most of these allegations were received by human rights lawyers, whose defendants in terrorism trials were illtreated while in hospital. The OSCE-KVM was regularly prevented from independently verifying such allegations, which was generally read as an indication that the accusations were well-founded. 23 In this context, OSCE-KVM hosted a seminar on 11 March organized by Physicians for Human Rights for local Albanian medical staff in Pec, where issues like these were addressed. Serb medical personnel were contacted as well and co-operation agreed, but the realization of a joint seminar of the medical community in Pec was rendered impossible by the events following OSCE withdrawal. 24 A/0673. Events at Lesane are corroborated by a number of interviewees, and are covered further in the entry for Suva Reka municipality. 25 Principle 1 of the Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Principles of Medical Ethics). 26 M/1391. 27 Meeting on 17 March between OSCE-KVM and Pec Chief Prosecutor and District Court President. 28 This practice was in clear violation of the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which in its Article 12 states that "Each State Party shall ensure that its competent authorities proceed to a prompt and impartial investigation, wherever there is reasonable ground to believe that an act of torture has been committed in any territory under its jurisdiction." This obligation is defined in Article 13: "Each State Party shall ensure that any individual who alleges he has been subjected to torture in any territory under its jurisdiction has the right to complain to, and to have his case promptly and impartially examined by its competent authorities. Steps shall be taken to ensure that the complainant and witnesses are protected against all ill-treatment or intimidation as a consequence of his complaint or any evidence given." Contents KOSOVO / KOSOVA As Seen, As Told http://www.osce.org/kosovo/documents/reports/hr/part1/ch6.htm (12 of 12)12/5/2003 11:51:07 AM Previous Next OSCE ODIHR