Torture is a crime[/B] against humanity, says Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, Maria Stylianou-Lottidi, in a statement on 26 June, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, established in 1998 by the UN General Assembly.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the Commissioner, respect for human rights and the complete prohibition and refraining from practices, acts and actions amounting to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are the constituent elements of a State governed by the rule of law.
Torture constitutes, under international law, a crime against humanity with an absolute prohibition, it is noted, adding that Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) explicitly prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and establishes this right as absolute.
It is noted that the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, as part of his responsibilities as the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM), conducts regular and unannounced visits to places where persons are deprived or likely to be deprived of their liberty, with a view to preventing torture and all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
To this end, frequent and unannounced visits are made to Central Prisons, Police Detention Centres, HOKAM, reception and accommodation areas for informal migrants, the Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital, shelters for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
With a view to preventing and safeguarding the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, the Office of the Commissioner proceeded, in November 2021, with the publication of the Prisoner's First Contact Guide, a useful tool to inform newly arrived prisoners about the rights, obligations and rules of safe living in prison.
The press release states that although torture and ill-treatment are prohibited by international law, they remain widespread during armed conflict. In this regard, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) notes that prisoners of war are at particular risk of being subjected to torture, even though torture and inhuman treatment of prisoners of war constitute a serious violation of the Geneva Convention.
During armed conflict, women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable to sexual violence, which often amounts to torture and may, under international law, be considered a war crime or crime against humanity.
In view of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, it is imperative that each State be vigilant to intervene, respect and safeguard the right of all persons within its territory and under its jurisdiction, so as not to be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to ensure the protection of all persons from inhuman conduct which the dark path of war may conceal, the press release concludes.
Source: CNA
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