Brussels, 22/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published its first report on Bosnia and Herzegovina. It calls upon the authorities to ensure that a thorough, independent and impartial investigation is carried out into allegations of large-scale ill-treatment following a riot in Zenica Prison in February 2003. The report also draws attention to inadequate staffing levels, which constitute a major problem throughout the prison system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to the total lack of out-of-cell activities offered to remand prisoners. The CPT recommends that the Zenica Prison Forensic Psychiatric Annexe be relocated, and highlights major deficiencies at Sokolac Psychiatric Hospital and Jakeš Institution for Chronic Mental Patients. The Committee emphasises the importance of strict selection criteria during recruitment of police officers and of professional training.
(The CPT report and the response of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be accessed at: http: //cpt.coe.int)