NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
CAT URGED TO PRESS UK ON FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT ISTANBUL PROTOCOL
The Celtic League has raised the issue of the United Kingdoms failure to apply the Istanbul Protocol to Police and Prison services with the UN Committee Against Torture. The Protocol provides an important safeguard to those detained against mistreatment by ensuring its detection at an early stage.
The CAT is currently considering the latest State Report from the UK ahead of its 50th session in May.
The League first raised the issue with British authorities in Scotland, N. Ireland, England & Wales and the Isle of Man in 2011 (see links below):
To: The Secretariat
Committee Against Torture
Human Rights Treaties Division (HRTD)
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais Wilson - 52, rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva (Switzerland)
08/01/13
Dear Sir,
The Committee will be aware of our correspondence of the 16/10/11 in which we raised a concern that no specific training on the Istanbul Protocol (Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment) is provided to Police or Prison services in the United Kingdom or its dependencies/
We note that the Committee will conclude its 50th session on May 2013 and this includes a report covering the United Kingdom (including the non metropolitan territories such as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).
We would ask the CAT to press the UK on this issue.
For information most of the four distinct jurisdictions (Scotland, N. Ireland, England & Wales and the Isle of Man) we approached gave priority to the principles in the Protocol.
There was however a positive response from Scottish authorities who told us:
We do nonetheless recognise that the nature of work undertaken by specific groups of medical professionals means they may wish to seek specific CPD training on the Istanbul protocol, and NHS Education for Scotland would be prepared to consider arranging an event on it should there be sufficient demand.
Yours sincerely
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
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J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
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