Report on the Performance of Activities of the National Preventive Mechanism for 2017 even after they have received feedback from the Internal Control Department. The Government Plan of Legislative Activities for 2018 does not include amendments to the Police Act, which means that the current method to form commissions, although evidently inefficient, still remains in force. On the other hand, in order to ensure efficient work of commissions, appropriate conditions for its functioning must be ensured, including complete autonomy and independence. According to records of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), of the total number of complaints about police treatment filed in 2017, 10% were well-founded or partially founded, and applicants objected to 167 of the non-founded. Since objections are submitted if the applicant is not satisfied with the findings, it is important to strengthen the internal supervision over police treatment. This type of supervision is carried out by the Police Directorate and the Internal Control Department. Once again, the majority of complaints in 2017 addressed the use of means of coercion when exercising police authority. In that respect, it is important to assess the justifiability and lawfulness thereof in order to prevent inhuman or degrading treatment. In the case of Bouyid v. Belgium, the ECHR found that unjustified use of force by police officers represented degrading treatment. That is why video footage is extremely important because it may help citizens protect themselves from unlawful and unethical treatment. On the other hand, it may protect police officers from unfounded complaints. As previously, accommodation conditions WELL-FOUNDEDNESS OF COMPLAINTS FILED TO MoI are not completely in line with prescribed standards of premises in which persons 71 wellfounded deprived of liberty are located. Frequently, they are accommodated in rooms without 288 not confirmed access to drinking water, daylight and ventilation or a lavatory with appropriate 148 partially founded hygienic standards. Also, they cannot stay outdoors. These things represent basic living conditions that any person deprived 1562 nonfounded of liberty is entitled to. Any restriction of access as indicated above may amount to degrading treatment. Plus, it may contribute to onset of a disease. One case in point remains problematic - after the warnings and recommendations of the Office of the Ombudswoman, spatial adaptations have been made; yet, the relevant premises still lack access to drinking water and a lavatory. Police officers often fail to keep records regarding the time when a person was deprived of liberty or released in the Order on Accommodation to Separate Room or Arrest Report and this may be considered violation of citizens’ constitutional rights. Despite earlier recommendations issued to the Ministry of Interior, detention supervisors still performed the tasks of officials of the operations and communications centre, which does not contribute to the protection of rights of persons deprived of liberty. 27

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