Summary

From 12 to 15 June 2019, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment conducted an official visit to the Comoros. Regrettably, the Special Rapporteur was obliged to suspend his visit halfway through, as full access was obstructed to places of detention and the modalities did not comply with the terms of reference of the mandate. The Special Rapporteur submitted a report, despite suspending the visit, due to the urgent need for reforms and investment. While visits to places of detention were cut short, the information collected by the Special Rapporteur and what he was able to observe support his findings that the conditions in places of detention amounted to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. There were also credible indicators that some law enforcement officials engaged in practices that amount to torture and ill-treatment in the context of policing during demonstrations, upon arrest and during interrogation.