Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012
In relation to video-surveillance, the surveillance of the reception area of detained persons
needs to be mentioned. The majority of areas in police stations intended for the admission
of detained persons were not under video-surveillance (except in PS Ljutomer and PS
Lendava), neither was there an audio device. In such cases, it is the opinion of the NPM,
that this was a deficiency since potential statements made by detained or held persons in
regard to improper treatment by officials could not be verified. As a result, the NPM proposed
to police stations, where the reception area for the admittance of detained persons was not
under a video-surveillance system, that they eliminate this deficiency since during its visit
to Slovenia even the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment of Punishment (CPT) urged that Slovenia adopt measures to provide
for regular use of electronic equipment for recording police procedures. As warned by
the CPT, the electronic recording (audio and/or video) of police interviews is an important
additional safeguard against the bad treatment of detained persons and it could provide for
a perfect and authentic record of an interview procedure which makes the investigation of
any claims regarding bad treatment significantly easier. This is therefore in the interest of
persons who were supposedly treated badly by the Police as well as police officers in cases
of unjustified claims that they have been involved in bad treatment. The electronic recording
of police interviews also reduces the possibility for the detained person to later falsely deny
that they have made any statements. The Ministry of the Interior notified the NPM in this
regard that they would seek to remedy this issue by purchasing this equipment with funds
allocated for the procurement of the video-surveillance equipment of police facilities if funds
are provided by the end of 2013.
Food and water
The majority of police stations provide detained persons with food in the form of different
types of light meals, including those for vegetarians. Their expiry date was mostly acceptable
during the visits. Some police stations (conducting longer detention) had concluded contracts
for food supply (meals) with nearby restaurants (PS Metlika, PS Velenje, PS Lendava), a
hotel (PS Murska Sobota, PS Ormož) or a company (PS Podlehnik), and even with a nursing
home as in the case of PS Ljutomer.
The NPM had to warn PS Velenje and PS Rogaška Slatina about the timely monitoring of
the expiry date of food since in these police stations the dates for some light meals had
already expired. In its response report, in the case of PS Velenje, the Ministry of the Interior
stated that a form would be prepared for a duty officer to regularly monitor the expiry dates
of light meals. Similarly, the management of PS Koper immediately held a discussion with
an officer responsible for light meals and administration officials keeping a list of purchased
and replaced light meals and warned them about the consistent monitoring of expiry dates
of light meals. All police officers were also warned about it.
Health care of detained persons
Police stations provide for health care so that a detained person is taken to the nearby
community health centre with a 24-hour duty service, or a doctor comes to the police station.
Vehicles for transporting detainees
When inspecting an intervention vehicle in PS Ormož, it was found that on the right of
the place intended for the transportation of detained persons, the top ten centimetres of a
wall are loose. This might be dangerous and could cause harm to detained persons when
transported by the intervention vehicle. In its response report, the Ministry of the Interior
notified the NPM that this intervention vehicle, intended for the transportation of detained
persons, would not be used until the defect was repaired.
National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to
the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
37
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