CAT/C/GRC/CO/5-6
with victims (law enforcement officers, judges, lawyers, social workers, etc.) and for
the general public.
Trafficking in persons
24.
The Committee recognizes the efforts made by the State party to address trafficking
in persons. However, it expresses its concern at persistent reports of trafficking in women
and children for sexual and other exploitative purposes and is concerned at the very few
prosecutions and convictions of the offenders of such crimes. The Committee is also
concerned that obstacles to the access to justice of the victims of such crimes include the
insufficient knowledge by judges and prosecutors of the Palermo Protocol and that no
interpretation services are reportedly available to the victims in trafficking trials. The
Committee regrets that the support services provided to victims of trafficking with respect
to health as part of their possible rehabilitation are inadequate (arts. 2, 10, 12 and 16).
The State party should ensure that all allegations concerning trafficking of persons
are investigated promptly, impartially and effectively and that the offenders are
prosecuted and punished for such crimes. The State party should also ensure that the
victims are provided effective legal and social assistance as well as access to
interpretation in the context of trials. The State party should continue to conduct
nationwide awareness-raising campaigns and provide adequate programmes of
assistance, recovery and reintegration for victims of trafficking. Furthermore, the
State party should offer training to law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors,
migration officials and border police on the causes, consequences and repercussions of
trafficking and other forms of exploitation, as well as on the Palermo Protocol.
Training
25.
The Committee takes note of the information provided in the State party’s report and
by the delegation on training schemes for law enforcement officials but it regrets that very
little information is available on the evaluation of such schemes and their effectiveness in
reducing the incidence of torture and ill-treatment. The Committee also regrets the lack of
information on the training provided to border guards, and on the “Manual on Effective
Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment” (Istanbul Protocol) to personnel involved in the investigation
and identification of torture and ill-treatment (art. 10).
The State party should continue to provide training programmes to all public officials,
in particular police and other law enforcement officers, to ensure that they are fully
aware of the provisions of the Convention. The State party should also ensure that
specialized training on obligations under international refugee and human rights law
is provided to authorities involved with border surveillance processes, as well as
exercise of subsequent regular internal control.
In addition, the State party should establish a training plan for all personnel involved
in the investigation and identification of torture, including public defenders, doctors
and psychologists, so that the contents of the Istanbul Protocol are known and applied
in practice. It should further undertake an assessment of the effectiveness and impact
of training schemes and education in reducing incidences of torture and ill-treatment.
Redress, including compensation and rehabilitation
26.
The Committee reiterates its concern at the insufficient information provided
relating to redress, including fair and adequate compensation as well as rehabilitation,
available to victims of torture or their dependants, in accordance with article 14 of the
Convention. The Committee is also concerned at the significant delays in offering redress
to victims of violence which has been determined by international supervisory organs and
courts (art. 14).
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