CAT/C/GBR/CO/5
ignored the warning signs of poor care and put corporate self interest and cost control ahead
of patients and their safety” (Press release, 6 February 2013) (arts. 11 and 16).
The Committee calls on the State party to act on its commitment to implement the
recommendations contained in the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public
Inquiry reports, and particularly to establish a structure of fundamental standards
and measures of compliance in order to prevent ill-treatment of patients receiving
health-care services.
Declaration under article 22
34.
The Committee regrets that the State party is “not yet convinced of the practical
value of individual petition” and notes the concern of the House of Lords/House of
Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights that the United Kingdom’s “slow progress in
accepting individual petition […] undermines its credibility in the promotion and protection
of human rights internationally” (17th report, session 2004-2005, HL 99/HC 264) (art. 22).
The Committee recommends that the State party reconsider its position and make the
declarations envisaged under article 22 of the Convention, in order to recognize the
competence of the Committee to receive and consider individual communications.
Data collection
35.
The Committee appreciates the State party’s efforts to provide it with detailed
information, data and statistics, but regrets that it did not provide comprehensive and
disaggregated data on investigations into allegations of torture and ill-treatment by law
enforcement, security, military and prison personnel, nor on prosecutions as a result of
operations conducted by law enforcement and prison personnel overseas. It also regrets that
the delegation did not provide details on settlement or compensation received by victims of
torture or ill-treatment, nor information about interrogation techniques and training.
The State party should compile statistical data relevant to the monitoring of the
implementation of the Convention at the national level, including data on complaints,
investigations, prosecutions and convictions of cases of torture and ill-treatment, as
well as on means of redress, including compensation and rehabilitation, provided to
the victims. It should also provide information on educational training and
programmes, including interrogation techniques, provided to all officials, including
law enforcement, security and prison personnel.
Other issues
36.
The Committee invites the State party to ratify the core United Nations human rights
treaties to which it is not yet a party, namely the International Convention on the Protection
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and the International
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
37.
The State party is requested to disseminate widely the report submitted to the
Committee and the present concluding observations, in appropriate languages, through
official websites, the media and non-governmental organizations.
38.
The Committee requests the State party to provide, by 31 May 2014, follow-up
information in response to the Committee’s recommendations relating to (a) inquiries into
allegations of torture overseas; (b) observance of safeguards ensuring respect for the
principle of non-refoulement; (c) ensuring the prompt release and return to the United
Kingdom of Shaker Aamer; (d) adopting comprehensive measures of transitional justice in
Northern Ireland and (e) conducting prompt, thorough and independent investigations, as
contained in paragraphs 15, 19, 20, 21, and 23 above.;
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