CAT/C/PHL/CO/3
(b)
Rights.
Expedite the adoption of the charter of the Commission on Human
Training
35.
The Committee is concerned that public officials involved in the implementation of
the Anti-Torture Act lack adequate training and information regarding the prohibition of
torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in accordance with section 21 of
the Act. It is also concerned that most government doctors lack specific training on the
Istanbul Protocol). The Committee regrets the absence of specific methodologies to monitor
and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the training provided (art. 10).
36.
The State party should:
(a)
In coordination with medical and legal professional associations and
individual experts, ensure that all municipal doctors and public prosecutors receive
training on how to identify signs of torture and ill-treatment, to document alleged
torture cases and to establish evidence that can be used in legal or administrative
proceedings against those responsible for acts of torture through the use of the
Istanbul Protocol;
(b)
Ensure that all personnel involved in the implementation of the
rehabilitation programme receive adequate training in the provision of specialized
rehabilitation services for victims of torture;
(c)
Ensure that all training is implemented as part of a comprehensive
government plan for further building the capacity of public officials involved in the
implementation of the Anti-Torture Act and that the outcomes of the trainings are
measured on the basis of indicators, which shall include improved performance of
public officials in their respective roles in implementing the Anti-Torture Act;
(d)
Develop and implement specific methodologies to monitor and assess the
effectiveness and impact of such training on the reduction in the number of cases of
torture, violence and ill-treatment.
Redress and rehabilitation
37.
The Committee is concerned at the absence of implementation of section 18 of the
Anti-Torture Act, which provides for compensation to victims of torture, and section 19,
which provides for the formulation of a rehabilitation programme for victims of torture. It is
also concerned at the complexity of the existing agencies and processes with overlapping
jurisdictions, which makes it difficult for victims to know to where to apply. The
Committee remains concerned at the situation of children who are subjected to abduction
and military recruitment by armed groups (art. 14).
38.
The State party should:
(a)
Ensure that victims of torture obtain redress and rehabilitation and have
an enforceable right to fair and adequate compensation, including the means for as
full a rehabilitation as possible, by formulating a detailed rehabilitation programme.
The Committee draws the attention of the State party to general comment No. 3
(2012) on the implementation of article 14 of the Convention, in which the Committee
explains the content and scope of the obligations of States parties to provide full
redress to victims of torture and recommends amending the domestic legislation
accordingly;
10