The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report on its periodic visit to the Slovak Republic from 28 November to 8 December 2023, which makes several recommendations to the authorities.
During the visit, the CPT examined the treatment of persons held in police custody, in several prisons, and at the Medveďov Immigration Detention Facility. It also assessed the situation of persons held at Hronovce Detention Institute and of involuntary patients in two civil psychiatric facilities.
The majority of persons interviewed during the visit stated that they were treated correctly by police officers. However, the CPT delegation did receive some allegations of physical ill-treatment and excessive use of force during apprehension, during the transfer of detained persons to police stations and during their initial registration by police officers.
Although there had been a slight decrease in the prison population since the previous CPT visit in 2018, and that the prison system as a whole was operating below its official capacity, cramped conditions were observed in some cells.
Patients interviewed by the delegation at the psychiatric departments of Rožňava Hospital and Bratislava University Hospital (Hospital of Saints Cyril and Methodius) made no allegations of ill-treatment by staff. Patients' living conditions were satisfactory in both establishments visited. Patients were offered proper treatment but were not involved in drawing up of their own treatment plans, which also lacked an individualised and multidisciplinary approach.
In their response, the Slovak authorities provide information on the measures taken in reaction to the CPT recommendations. In particular, they submit detailed information on guidance and training provided to police officers to prevent ill-treatment, and they provide further information on planned legislative amendments concerning sentenced prisoners.
Summary of the report, Slovak version
