EUROPE: CPT URGED TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF TERMINALLY ILL PRISONERS
The Celtic League have once again urged the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture to amend European Prison Standards to provide adequate medical facilities for prisoners with serious or terminal conditions.
The situation was highlighted last year in Scotland by the case of Libyan prisoner, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, who it is now reported may be transferred back to Libya.
The League pointed out that prisoners without the International prominence or support Mr al-Megrahi enjoyed were also suffering because of the inflexibility of prison services across Europe in dealing with terminally ill prisoners in a humane way.
#"Secretariat of the CPT Council of Europe F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex France
23 Apr. 09
Dear Sir,
We wrote to you in November 2008 concerning "Medical Facilities Prisoners with Serious or Terminal Conditions" ( a copy of the letter is attached for convenience).
Our approach was prompted by the well publicised case of a prominent Libyan prisoner held in jail in Scotland (I understand steps may now be in train to resolve this unfortunate mans plight).
However what we pointed out to you was that there were many less well publicised cases of individual cases of terminally ill prisoners in prisons across Europe and we urged that the CPT review the standards that it sets to address the issue.
I wonder if you could advise if the CPT has had an opportunity to revisit `the standards' and if so can a section be inserted to specifically address the plight of terminally ill prisoners so that their final weeks and months can be made more bearable.
Prisoners in their last weeks or days of life should be able to enjoy the same hospice facilities available to others in the community.
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt Director of Information"
Related article on Celtic News at:
CPT Prison Standards here:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
23/04/09
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