CAT/C/CYP/CO/5 15. The State party should: (a) Ensure that all detained persons are informed orally and in writing of their rights in a language they understand, including specific information on how to submit a confidential complaint and on other legal remedies to challenge the lawfulness of their detention, on the rights of persons under national immigration laws, and on the right to have the free assistance of an interpreter; (b) Ensure that the right to immediate legal aid is fully implemented in practice at all stages of the legal process and that such aid is made available to all eligible candidates by taking such measures as eliminating overly restrictive procedural and judicial criteria; (c) Monitor and evaluate data on the number of detainees who apply for legal aid each year, the number of applications granted, and the average duration of time after the arrest the legal aid counsel may meet with the detainee; (d) Compile statistical data relevant to complaints of investigations into and prosecutions and convictions for torture and ill-treatment, compensation and rehabilitation provided to victims. Medical examination in alleged cases of torture 16. The Committee is concerned about the lack of procedural safeguards to ensure a timely medical examination of alleged victims of torture and ill-treatment, including psychological or psychiatric assessments when signs of torture or trauma are detected during personal interviews of asylum seekers or irregular migrants. The Committee regrets that the requested information on the rehabilitation of identified victims of torture and illtreatment, and on priority access to the asylum process for those who have been so identified, was not provided (arts. 2, 11, 12 and 13). 17. The State party should: (a) Take measures to ensure that timely medical examinations of alleged victims of torture and ill-treatment comply with the procedures set out in the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Istanbul Protocol), and in particular that they are conducted by trained, independent health experts with the support of professional interpreters; (b) Compile data on the number of applicants that have been referred to a medical examination due to allegations or signs of torture and ill-treatment, the outcomes of those medical examinations and the next steps taken in those cases, and on the number of asylum seekers referred to rehabilitation owing to torture, and the specialized nature and content of the rehabilitation offered. Judicial review with suspensive effect for asylum seekers and irregular migrants 18. The Committee notes with appreciation the creation, in January 2016, of the Administrative Court, which has first-instance jurisdiction over administrative proceedings, and the creation, in July 2019, of the International Protection Administrative Court, another first-instance court, which examines both procedure and merits and has strict deadlines for greater efficiency. The Committee remains concerned, however, about the effectiveness of the two courts to adjudicate challenges to the deportation of asylum applicants and irregular migrants, about the relation of these courts with the Supreme Court with regard to the accessibility of appeals, and about the backlog of asylum claims (arts. 2, 3, 13 and 14). 19. The State party should continue to abide by its commitment to provide for an effective judicial remedy with automatic suspensive effect in the context of the deportation of asylum seekers and irregular migrants, by: (a) Ensuring the independence of the Administrative Court and the International Protection Administrative Court from the executive branch of the Government, including procedural independence from law enforcement and immigration and asylum officers; 4

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