In the context of the second part of the 2022 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MEP Mr. Kostis Efstathiou participated yesterday in a debate in the plenary session on the issue of combating and preventing the excessive and unjustified use of force by law enforcement authorities.
Mr Efstathiou pointed out that any democratic constitution presupposes the promotion and defence of the rule of law and the application of the law.
Mr Efstathiou pointed out that any democratic constitution presupposes the promotion and defence of the rule of law and the application of the law. Moreover, he stressed, its application must be in accordance with the principles of necessity and proportionality. For this reason, he said, the excessive and unjustified use of force by law enforcement authorities constituted an unacceptable and reprehensible practice. Efstathiou also stressed that impunity and lack of accountability for human rights violations related to the abuse of power and the use of unacceptable brutality, discrimination and excessive force contribute to the perpetuation of the phenomenon and should not be tolerated.
Mr. Efstathiou recommended the collection and codification of all relevant provisions at national and international level in order to facilitate the process of proving the commission of offences and bringing offenders before national courts. He stressed that it should be widely understood in the strongest possible terms that non-compliance with the law is unacceptable and punishable regardless of the status of the offender. Efstathiou was appointed Rapporteur on allegations of systematic torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in places of detention in Council of Europe member states.
(MB/IC)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
