reduction of statelessness in the State party, the Committee remains concerned at the fact that approximately
33 per cent of the prison population is composed of stateless persons, while they represent approximately 8 per cent
of the overall population of the State party (art. 16).
The State party should adopt all adequate legal and practical measures to simplify and facilitate the
naturalization and integration of stateless persons and non-citizens.
The State party should also adopt the necessary measures to guarantee that stateless persons and
non-citizens are informed of their rights in a language they understand and have access to the
fundamental legal safeguards from the moment they are deprived of their liberty, without any
discrimination.
The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation (CAT/C/CR/29/5, para. 6 (h) and (i)) that the
State party should also address the causes and consequences of the disproportionate presence of
stateless persons in the prison population and adopt the necessary measures to prevent this
phenomenon.
The State party should further consider ratifying the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of
Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement personnel
(23) While welcoming the establishment of a complaints hotline operated by a non-governmental organization,
the Committee remains concerned at allegations of brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement
personnel, especially with regard to the disturbances that occurred in Tallinn in April 2007, well documented by a
detailed compilation of complaints (art. 16).
The State party should promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate all acts of brutality and
excessive use of force by law enforcement personnel and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The State party should also reinforce its training programmes for law enforcement personnel,
especially for all special police forces, and encourage the State party to adopt the draft code of ethics
for the police.
Psychiatric facilities
(24) While welcoming the improvement in the assistance of patients with psychiatric illnesses, including the
implementation of the Mental Health Act into practice, the Committee is concerned about the general living
conditions in psychiatric institutions and inadequate forms of treatment (art. 16).
The State party should improve the living conditions for patients in psychiatric institutions, ensure
that all places where mental health patients are held for involuntary treatment are regularly visited by
independent monitoring bodies to guarantee the proper implementation of the safeguards set out to
secure their rights, and that alternative forms of treatment, especially community-based treatment, are
developed.
Data collection relevant to the implementation of the Convention
(25) The Committee regrets the absence of comprehensive and disaggregated data on complaints, investigations,
prosecutions and convictions of cases of torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement and penitentiary personnel, as
well as on trafficking, domestic violence and sexual violence.
The State party should compile and provide to the Committee statistical data relevant to the
monitoring of the implementation of the Convention at the national level, including complaints,
investigations, prosecutions and convictions of cases of torture and other ill-treatment, trafficking,
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