The State party should ensure that all law enforcement personnel receive adequate and regular
training on the international obligations of Iceland, in particular with respect to its obligations under
the Convention against Torture. In addition, the State party should introduce formal training in
human rights and humanitarian law for peacekeepers and other personnel assigned to international
monitoring missions with the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the
European Union.
Evidence in accordance with article 15
(13) The Committee, while noting the information provided in the State party report and during the dialogue,
remains concerned that evidence that might have been obtained through torture may still be used in judicial
proceedings (art. 15).
The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation, namely that the State party should bring its
domestic criminal legislation into line with the provisions of article 15 of the Convention so as to
exclude explicitly any evidence obtained as a result of torture.
The State party should also review its practices with regard to video and tape recordings of
interrogation procedures with a view to primarily protecting the defendant.
Trafficking in human beings
(14) The Committee notes the developments in the legal and policy frameworks with respect to trafficking in
human beings, in particular the new draft bill currently under consideration by the Parliament and the preparations
for a national plan of action against trafficking in human beings.
The Committee is, however, concerned at the fact that incidents of trafficking both through and inside the country
have been reported and that the State party does not have a system to monitor and assess the extent and impact of or
to address this phenomenon effectively (arts. 2 and 16).
The State party should ensure that the plan of action receives adequate financial support for its
implementation, and establish a coordinated government-wide programme for data collection,
monitoring of the actual situation and providing adequate measures to prevent trafficking in persons
and assistance to victims.
The State party should also adopt specific training and sensitization programmes for law enforcement
personnel and border guards, and public awareness-raising campaigns revealing the current situation
of trafficking in human beings in the country.
Violence against women and children
(15) The Committee notes the recent developments in the national legislative and policy framework on measures
to address violence against women and children and domestic violence, in particular the amendments providing for
greater punishment when violence has occurred within the family, restraining orders and the expansion of the term
of rape. The Committee is of the view that more emphasis could be given to adequate medical and legal services and
assistance to victims of violence against women and domestic violence, and to addressing attitudes and opinions in
society (arts. 4 and 16).
The State party should continue its efforts to address domestic violence through legislative and policy
measures and ensure that the part of the Plan of Action 2006 to 2011 covering protection and
assistance to victims receives sufficient funding and the human resources necessary for its
implementation. The State party is encouraged to develop national public information campaigns and
stimulate broader public discussions in order to address attitudes and stereotypes leading to violence
against women further. The State party should provide further detailed information with respect to
the assistance and services available for victims in its next periodic report.
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