The seminar on Prohibition of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, organised by the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and OSCE Mission to Serbia took place in Belgrade today, on Human Rights Day.

“International human rights law prescribes that there are no circumstances justifying any form of ill-treatment. The right to life, physical integrity, freedom, human dignity and personal security are basic human rights, and as such they represent the foundation of justice and democracy of a society", said Ambassador Andrea Orizio, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, in his opening remarks.

“The importance of this issue cannot be overstated - it is not only fundamental, but also an absolute human right and one of the cornerstones of international human rights law. This is even more important as we celebrate today the Human Rights Day. As such, it does not allow any derogations or exceptions”, he added.

The seminar gathered representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Ombudsman Office and civil society organisations dealing with the standards in relation to which police treatment is assessed, as well as with the methodology of the monitoring bodies, including examples of best international standards and practices.

“Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are facing complex challenges all across Europe and thus we are delighted to be able to contribute to this event by bringing you our expertise. Today’s event is part of the efforts made by states, international organisations and civil society to eradicate ill-treatment and torture”, concluded Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of Council of Europe Office in Belgrade.

The focus of the discussion was on the work of external monitoring mechanisms dealing with the treatment of detained persons, international standards based on which police treatment is assessed, as well as methodology for investigation in cases of ill-treatment by the police developed by the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Interior.

Even though the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture from 2012, 2016 and 2018 were not fully addressed, it was noted during the seminar that the progress has been made, especially in respect to revision of independent police complaints system, custody record system and modernisation of police in-service training on safeguards against ill-treatment and torture.

The event was organised in partnership with the OSCE Mission to Serbia and within the Action “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia”, which is a part of the programme “Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey” funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the Council of Europe.