International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture
Thorbjørn Jagland: “States must comply with Strasbourg Court´s interim measures to prevent cases of torture”
Strasbourg, 25.06.2010 – On the eve of the International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture on 26 June, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement:
“The absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment is one of the most fundamental values of our democratic societies. The European Convention on Human Rights is crystal clear. It allows for no exceptions even in the most extreme circumstances, such as war or the fight against terrorism.
Council of Europe member states have committed not only to effectively execute the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights but also its interim measures in connection to specific cases. It is worrisome that some member states disregard measures by the Court not to carry out expulsions of applicants with cases pending before it, when there is a fear of torture or ill-treatment.
Preventing torture and ill-treatment in centres where people are deprived of freedom is one of the essential fields of work of the Council of Europe, through the work of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). Having access to every prison in Europe to prevent torture and uphold the rights of prisoners, the CPT is one of the most outstanding examples of how European values and standards are being interpreted and exercised in the 21th century.”
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Note to editors
Article 3 of the European Convention on Human rights states, under the heading “prohibition of torture”, that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
On the occasion of the convention's 60th anniversary, in 2010 the council of europe is highlighting the case-law of the court with regard to the rights and freedoms it protects.
Rule 39 of the european court of human rights allows the court to indicate interim measures to the parties in a case in order to have the necessary time to examine the complaint.
More information
Council of Europe Directorate of Communication
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
pressunit@coe.int
www.coe.int
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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