CAT/OP/CHE/ROSP/1 67. During the visit to the Bern cantonal police facility, the delegation noted that the physical conditions were very good.17 68. These conditions were radically different from those seen at the Lausanne municipal police station and the Vaud cantonal police station in La Blécherette. 69. At the Lausanne municipal police station, the 25 cells in the basement, measuring about 7 square metres, lacked ventilation, natural light and running water. In addition, a camera placed inside showed the whole of each cell, including the toilet area, although the image of that specific part of the cell was blurred out. 70. Conditions were comparable at the police station in La Blécherette: the dark, cramped basement cells lacked natural light, were poorly ventilated and had no showers, while the inmates had one hour’s access per day to the exercise yard, which consisted of a covered area behind the car park. Several detainees also complained that there was not enough food. 71. As previously stated, the Subcommittee recommends that the State party transfer without delay persons currently detained pending trial or serving sentences in police stations in Lausanne to suitable penitentiary institutions. 18 72. The cells visited by the delegation at the police station in Zurich were dark, cold and poorly ventilated, and the only source of running water was a sink with a cold tap. 73. The Subcommittee recommends that appropriate measures be taken to improve the physical conditions at the Zurich police station, particularly the introduction of natural lighting systems, heating, hot water and adequate ventilation. 4. Medical examinations 74. The delegation observed that a doctor was called when persons in police custody so requested or when they appeared to need treatment. However, there was no provision for routine medical examinations. 75. The Subcommittee recommends that all persons who are stopped and detained or subjected to custodial arrest have the right in practice, from the outset of the deprivation of liberty, to be examined by an independent doctor, of their own choosing if they so request.19 The findings of such medical examinations should be recorded and made available to the detainee and his or her lawyer, in accordance with the Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Istanbul Protocol). 76. The Lausanne municipal police station and the Vaud cantonal police station in La Blécherette, where detainees might remain for several weeks, had made agreements with the Vaud university hospital to provide medical care and emergency treatment. 20 The Zurich police station had likewise made an agreement with the university hospital and psychiatric clinic in Zurich.21 77. The Subcommittee wishes to emphasize the detrimental psychological effect of prolonged detention in the conditions seen at the Lausanne municipal police station22 and the 17 18 19 20 21 22 GE.21-03779 Les cellules individuelles étaient de superficie suffisante, suffisamment éclairées, bien aérées, et équipées d’un interphone, d’un matelas, d’une couverture, d’une douche et de toilettes à l’hygiène irréprochable. Voir la note de bas de page 16. Cet examen doit avoir pour buts à la fois de vérifier l’état de santé de la personne et, le cas échéant, d’établir un compte rendu médical par suite d’allégations de mauvais traitements ou de constats lésionnels. Présence quotidienne d’une infirmière, consultation d’un médecin généraliste et d’un psychiatre une fois par semaine, appel au service des urgences en cas de nécessité ainsi que la nuit, les week-ends et les jours fériés. Consultation d’un médecin généraliste tous les jours du lundi au vendredi, et intervention d’un psychiatre au besoin ; appel au service des urgences en cas de nécessité ainsi que la nuit, les weekends et les jours fériés. Au total, 70 % des détenus avaient un traitement psychotrope en raison de symptomatologie anxieuse marquée et d’insomnie. 11