Six repeat visits to authorities and units of internal affairs were conducted for
evaluation of implementation of recommendations from previous visits in 2014.
Violations and shortcomings identified during monitoring visits to places of
detention under the MIA of Ukraine
Torture and cruel treatment
Despite numerous acts of response by the Commissioner on instances of torture
and cruel treatment, this despicable phenomenon still exists in the practice of law
enforcement bodies. For instance, on 14 October 2014, upon assignment from the
Commissioner for Human Rights to the regional PR coordinators, the latter visited the
temporary holding facility of Odesa city directorate of the Main MIA Directorate in
Odesa region. During interviews with detainees of the facilities, the apprehended K.
manifested bodily injuries in the form of bruises on his wrists.
The latter said that he had been assaulted by police officers at the local point at
Pryvoz market in Odesa, held handcuffed to a bench at the internal affairs unit for six
hours, and practically was deprived of the possibility to move and satisfy natural needs.
In addition, his right to see an attorney prior to first interrogation was violated.
The review of the act of response by the Commissioner prompted pre-trial
investigation by the Prosecution Service in Odesa region into this case, which is under
the Commissioner’s monitoring.
Cruel treatment of a juvenile was identified during a visit to Kyiv remand prison.
A minor Ch. Who was held at the remand prisons manifested bodily injuries in the
form of bruises on arms and legs. Ch. explained that he sustained bruising during
convoying to the court as a result of cruel treatment by convoy officials (they were
dragging him handcuffed down the stairs, which led to multiple bruising). Relevant
address in relation to this fact by the Commissioner was sent to the prosecutor of Kyiv.
In the absence of response to the address, the Commissioner notified the Office of the
Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
In addition to cases of torture and cruel treatment discovered during monitoring
visits to the city, district and line bodies of internal affairs, the Commissioner regularly
receives applications from citizens on the facts of torture and cruel treatment by law
enforcement officials for the purposes of obtaining confessions
As a rule, these applications include concrete data on how the person was treated
(assaulted or humiliated, in which manner and with what tools, when and with what
purpose etc.). Sometimes these applications includes copies of medical certificates and
photographs of consequences of torture. Therefore, these applications contain evidence
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