CPT: The clear lack of progress with regard to basic safeguards against ill-treatment is long-lasting and is of systemic nature. If the Polish authorities do not take targeted and decisive action, the risk of ill-treatment of persons detained by the police is likely to continue to increase in the near future. If no progress is achieved in the implementation of the long-term CPT recommendations by the Polish authorities, the Committee may have to refer to Article 10(2) of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and issue a public statement on the matter78. Implementation status of the recommendations The reminder about the prohibition to use violence (including verbal violence) and about the sanctions for violating the prohibition79 The recommendation has been implemented in all three visited establishments. Preventing and minimizing the use of force when detaining people; officers’ training in this area The CPT indicated in its report that, in view of the findings made, it was necessary to remind the officers that physical force may be used against detainees only if the principle of proportionality is observed. There is no justification for beating detained persons who are incapacitated. Also, police officers should be trained in preventing and minimizing the use of violence in connection with people’s detention, and in using professional techniques that minimize the risk of injury to the persons to be detained80. Assessment of the recommendation’s implementation: The training has not been conducted at any of the visited units. At one of the units, the officers took part in training focused on human rights, equal treatment and elements of anger control81. Use of tasers 78 Ibid., Executive summary and points 8-9. To date, the CPT has published 9 public statements. They concerned: Turkey, Russia, Greece, Bulgaria and Belgium. The statements are available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/cpt/public-statements (access: 27 January 2021). See also Article 10(2) of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Journal of Laws of 1995, no. 46, item 238). 79 CPT report, CPT/Inf (2018) 39, para. 21; SPT Report, CAT/OP/POL/ROSP/1, para. 46. 80 CPT report, CPT/Inf (2018) 39, para. 21. 81 Room for detained persons at the Warsaw Police Headquarters, KMP.570.3.2020 KK. 48

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