05 April 2008, 12:50
ECT: custody conditions in Northern Caucasus become better
The delegation of the European Committee against Torture (ECT) has finished their working visit to Northern Caucasus, which took place from March 27 to April 3. The members of the delegation - Mario Palme, Chairman of the European Committee against Torture; Trever Siemens, Executive Secretary of the ECT; and Eric Svanidze, an expert for the ECT, visited the places of imprisonment in Kabardino-Balkaria and Ingushetia, and had meetings with inmates and their advocates.
It has become known to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that during the meeting of the members of the delegation with Gregory Rapota, Plenipotentiary Envoy of President of the Russian Federation in the Southern Federal District, they noted that the conditions in places of imprisonment had improved.
We remind you that the delegation of the Council of Europe arrived to Kabardino-Balkaria on March 27. During a meeting with journalists, Mario Palme told that the ECT is paying visits to all 47 countries, which are members of the Council of Europe. Earlier, representatives of the ECT had repeatedly visited Chechnya and Ingushetia, however, they came to Kabardino-Balkaria for the first time.
The delegation visited SIZOs (pre-trial facilities) in Nalchik, however, the results of these visits remain confidential. According to the European Convention, the ECT will bring these results to the country's leadership only.
Author: Luiza Orazayeva, CK correspondent
