THE NATIONAL MECHANISM for the PREVENTION of TORTURE 2013 Report and Conclusions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia
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THE NATIONAL MECHANISM FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE 2013 Report and Conclusions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Belgrade, 2014 Publisher: Protector of Citizens For the publisher: Saša Janković Editors Miloš Janković Jelena Unijat Desigh and layout: comma | communications design Printed: Fiducia 011 Print Copies: 100 Design and printing of this publication was supported by the OSCE Mission to Serbia. Disclaimer: The views herein expressed are solely those of the author and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. The National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture 2013 Report and Conclusions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Dear Reader, This is the second annual report of the Protector of Citizens on the activities carried out by the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture in the Republic of Serbia. Prevention of torture arises from the obligations of the Republic of Serbia to its citizens and the international convention to which it has acceded. During 2013, 77 visits were carried out in locations where persons deprived of their liberty are placed and based on identified irregularities in the performance of duties, competent authorities were sent 263 recommendations. Presenting the findings and general and specific recommendations on improving conditions, the Report provides a clear and accessible route to the society without torture as an ideal aim. However, it is also apparent that steps toward the unattainable ideal are not shrouded in fog, unachievable, or even too challenging or expensive. It remains to carry them out as rapidly as possible, with no excuses or exceptions for the victims of torture, but also for our own dignity. Where there is at least one human being exposed to inhuman treatment, no one’s dignity may be unconditional. I would like to express my gratitude to all authorities, civil associations and individuals I have collaborated with during the reporting period while performing duties of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture. Saša Janković Protector of Citizens Belgrade, 12 June 2014 Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1. General assessment of compliance with the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments in the Republic of Serbia .....................................................7 1.2. The most important information about the activities of the Ombudsman while performing duties of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM) in 2013 ........................11 2. Prohibition of Torture .......................................................................................................................12 2.1. National legislation .................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 International instruments ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 3. Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture ...............................................................15 3.1. Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture .................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 National Mechanisms for the Prevention of Torture ............................................................................................................ 16 3.3. Setting-up NPM in Serbia ...................................................................................................................................................................... 17 4. Methodology, resources and organisation of the NPM in 2013 ..............................................18 4.1. Methodology of the NPM ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 4.2. Material resources and financial independence of the NPM......................................................................................... 20 4.3. Pro-active NPM Organisational Unit and its operational independence ............................................................... 21 4.4 Participation of the Provintial Ombudsman in the activities of the NPM .............................................................. 21 4.5. Participation of the civil sector in activities of the NPM .................................................................................................... 22 4.6. Engagement of the external experts in performing duties of the NPM ................................................................ 23 4.7. Training of the NPM team members ............................................................................................................................................. 23 4.8. Other forms of cooperation ................................................................................................................................................................. 23 5. Execution of the NPM mandate in 2013........................................................................................24 5.1. Visits to the institutions where persons deprived of liberty are placed.................................................................. 24 5.2. Cooperation with the public authorities during visits to the institutions ............................................................. 24 5.3. Reports on visits to institutions ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 5.4. Recommendations for remedying identified deficiencies .............................................................................................. 25 5.5. Establishing a cooperative dialogue with public authorities ........................................................................................ 25 5.6. Prevention of reprisals against persons cooperating with NPM.................................................................................. 26 5.7. Improving legislation on prevention of torture ...................................................................................................................... 26 5.8. Promotion of the NPM and prevention of torture ................................................................................................................ 27 5.9. Cooperation with the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture ................................................................................. 27 5.10. Cooperation with other NPMs and establishment of the NPM regional network .......................................... 28 5.11. Distribution / review of the NPM annual report ..................................................................................................................... 28 6. State of progress and activities of the NPM in different areas in 2013 ...................................29 6.1. Police detention .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 6.2. Execution of detention measures .................................................................................................................................................... 35 6.3. Execution of criminal sanctions ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 6.4. Detention of people with mental problems in psychiatric hospitals ...................................................................... 43 6.5. Detention of people in social care institutions ....................................................................................................................... 45 6.6. Treatment of asylum seekers .............................................................................................................................................................. 46 6.7. Reception of returnees in the process of readmission ...................................................................................................... 48 7. Follow-up steps – Future of the NPM .............................................................................................48 ANEX I .........................................................................................................................................................50 Recommendations of the NPM proposed to public authorities of the Republic of Serbia ..................................... 50 ANNEX II .....................................................................................................................................................83 Relevant Regulations / Excerpts from Regulations and NPM Documents ......................................................................... 83 Conclusions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia ............................................... 148 7 1. Introduction 1.1. General assessment of compliance with the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman