Prevention of Torture: UN human rights body presents confidential preliminary observations to the Government of Mali

Bamako, 14 December 2011 – The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) presented today its confidential preliminary observations to the Government of Mali, in conclusion of its first regular visit to the country, which took place from 5 to 14 December 2011. During the visit, the SPT met with the relevant national authorities and representatives of civil society, and conducted visits to a number of places of deprivation of liberty (see attached list), including police stations, prisons, juvenile detention centres and psychiatric institutions in the District  of Bamako and in the regions of Kayes, Koulikouro, Mopti and Ségou.

Citations

The SPT mandate permits it to conduct on-site visits and make recommendations to the authorities to establish effective safeguards against the risk of torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty. The SPT mandate is mirrored at the national level by a National Preventive Mechanism (NPMs). Mali undertook an obligation to create an NPM one year after the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and the Government designated the National Commission of Human Rights to be this NPM. The SPT had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Commission.

During the visit, the SPT had the opportunity to explore the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in Mali, and the safeguards for their protection against torture and ill-treatment. In addition to visiting places of detention, the SPT conducted private and confidential interviews with persons deprived of their liberty in the institutions that were visited. In addition to being a legal obligation of the SPT under the Optional Protocol, the requirements of confidentiality serve to protect persons interviewed.

In accordance with the provisions of the Optional Protocol, the SPT will send its final report confidentially to the Malian Government, and hopes to continue its constructive dialogue with the authorities in the near future.

The SPT Delegation to Brazil was composed of the following members: Mr. Emilio GINES (Head of Delegation), Mr. Olivier OBRECHT (Vice-Head of Delegation), Mr. Zdenek HAJEK (Vice-Chairperson), Paul LAM SHANG LEEN, Mme Judith SALGADO, Mr. Miguel SARRE, and Mr. Fortuné Gaetan ZONGO. The SPT delegation benefited from the support of the United Nations system in Mali.

ENDS

For more information about the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/opcat/index.htm

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cat-one.htm

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Places of deprivation of liberty visited by the SPT in Mali, 5 to 14 December 2011
I.    Prisons:
II.   Police Stations:
III.  Facilities for Children and Adolescents:
IV.  Medical facilities: