OSCE conference in Ukraine focuses on human rights violation in pre-trial detention centres

SUDAK, Ukraine, 7 October, 2008 - Human rights violations in pre-trial detention centres in Eastern Europe and national preventive mechanisms against torture and ill treatment in such centres are the focus of an OSCE conference in Sudak, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, that ends tomorrow.

The meeting gathers members of non-governmental organizations that monitor adherence to human rights in pre-trial detention centres in East European countries that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

During the three-day event, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, the British Independent Custody Visiting Association and the Kharkiv Institute for Social Research, the participants will share experiences and case studies on how civil society can help prevent torture.

"Stand-alone anti-torture activities have a limited impact," said Todd Becker, Senior Project Manager of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. "The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine is attempting to address the problem of torture and ill-treatment by encouraging officials to incorporate anti-torture measures in their every-day work. A first step is encouraging the introduction of prevention mechanisms."

The conference aims to develop a monitoring system under which monitoring groups would make regular visits to the Interior Ministry's detention facilities. The groups would comprise representatives of civil society, human rights activists and civil servants.

Conference participants will discuss the legal framework and institutional and civil society initiatives for improving conduct during police arrests and penitentiary conditions. They also will discuss how to solve shared problems related to implementing the protocol.

The conference is part of a project supported by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator that aims to develop national preventive mechanisms against torture and ill treatment in Ukraine's detention centres.