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Guidelines on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Adopted on 9 April 2001, the Guidelines on Torture are supposed to affirm and intensify the efforts currently undertaken to anticipate and eliminate torture and ill-treatment in every corner of the world.

The term "torture" is used in the Guidelines according to the definition in Article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In the present guidelines, the term "ill-treatment" means every form of harm or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including the corporal punishments which deprive a person of his/her physical and mental integrity.

The Guidelines on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment are available under:
http://consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/8590.en08.pdf

Tthe Convention Against Torture is available here: www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cat.htm

Conceivable Actions

The persons who are victims of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment can report their situation to the Missions of the EU and their Member States (Embassies of the EU Member States and the Delegations of the European Commission) situated in their country.

Then, the EU Missions initiate démarches and formulate public declarations to encourage the States to take efficient measures against torture and ill-treatments. If necessary, the EU asks for further information about the allegations of torture or ill-treatments. It also reacts upon achieved progress.

In the proven cases of torture and ill-treatments, the EU incites immediately (by confidential or public démarches) the authorities of the concerned State to protect the physical security of the concerned persons to prevent ill-treatments, to deliver information and to apply the appropriate guarantees. The interventions regarding particular cases are undertaken case by case arises and can be integrated in a general démarche.

The information about cases of torture must be reported as soon as possible to the EU Missions.

Last change: 18.12.08 - 23:11