A/HRC/7/3/Add.2
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portion of detainees in temporary detention centres was increased in accordance with
Decision No. 154 of 2001 by the Cabinet of Ministers. He notes additional measures
taken to render medical assistance to persons detained in temporary detention centres and
to create conditions for them to meet with their relatives in compliance with the
Instruction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of 27 December 2002. The Special
Rapporteur reiterates his earlier call to the Government (see A/HRC/4/33/Add.2, para. 5)
for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. He also
encourages the authorities to envisage the establishment of an independent specialised
body to investigate promptly and thoroughly all allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
6.
Recommendation (a) stated: The Government should ensure that all
allegations of torture and similar ill-treatment are promptly, independently and
thoroughly investigated by a body capable of prosecuting perpetrators.
7.
All information about torture and ill-treatment used by internal affairs officials
in the fulfilment of their duties is investigated by prosecutorial agencies in accordance
with the legislation in force. The Commission on Human Rights (Ombudsman) has the
right to request relevant bodies to open a criminal investigation.
8.
Recommendation (b) stated: Prosecutors should regularly carry out
inspections, including unannounced visits, of all places of detention. Similarly, the
Ministries of Internal Affairs and of National Security should establish effective
procedures for internal monitoring of the behaviour and discipline of their agents,
in particular with a view to eliminating practices of torture and ill-treatment; the
activities of such procedures should not be dependent on the existence of a formal
complaint. In addition, non-governmental organizations and other parts of civil
society should be allowed to visit places of detention and confidential interviews with
all persons deprived of their liberty.
9.
In compliance with article 22 of the Code of Enforcement of Sentences, the
public prosecutors providing procedural guidance for preliminary investigations, as well
as judges exerting judicial control and performing judicial functions have the authority to
visit places of detention. A procedure of internal monitoring exists within the Ministry of
National Security in order to supervise the behaviour and discipline of employees.
10.
A “Code of ethics of the employees of the bodies of internal affairs” was
approved under the order of 8 April 2005 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A “hotline” has begun to operate in the ministry since 2006 and it gives citizens the opportunity
to inform the ministry of violations of their rights and freedoms by police agents. All the
complaints received in the current year were immediately investigated, and the
employees found guilty on the affirmed facts were held responsible.
11.
Concerns regarding temporary police detention facilities raised during trainings
held by the Commission on Human Rights were thoroughly investigated by the Ministry
of Internal Affairs and urgent steps were taken to address the shortcomings. Measures
were implemented to hold police officers who committed violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms responsible. One hundred twenty-three law enforcement officers