Updated: March 18, 2019

Prison d'Anvers © Belga

En 2015, le Médiateur fédéral avait remis au Parlement un rapport très critique sur les conditions de vie des détenus en période de grève.

Conditions intolérables

L’hygiène et l’accès aux soins médicaux étaient insuffisants. Les détenus avaient faim et restaient confinés 24 heures sur 24 en cellule, sans possibilité de promenade. Ils ne pouvaient plus recevoir la visite de leur avocat ou d’un membre de leur famille. La sécurité des détenus et du personnel présents n’était plus assurée.

Le Médiateur fédéral avait recommandé au Parlement d’instaurer un service minimum pour éviter tout traitement inhumain ou dégradant et assurer la sécurité au sein de la prison pendant la grève. Il l’avait rappelé, à plusieurs reprises, lors des grèves de mai 2016 et de l’été 2018, à la suite de plaintes au sujet des conditions de vie des détenus. 

Besoins élémentaires assurés

En cas de grève, le service minimum oblige la prison à assurer :
- des repas suffisants dont un repas chaud par jour,
- 2 douches par semaine,
- les soins médicaux indispensables,
- 1h de promenade par jour,
- la visite des proches et l’accès au téléphone une fois par semaine,
-  la visite des avocats.

Catherine De Bruecker, médiatrice fédérale : « Les personnes détenues se trouvent dans une situation de dépendance absolue par rapport à l’administration. Leur santé et leur vie ne peuvent être mises en danger par la grève. L’Etat a l’obligation de garantir leur sécurité et leurs besoins fondamentaux en tout temps. »

I am pleased to inform you that the Annual Report 2017-2018 of the Chancellor of Justice of Estonia is now available in English. The report covers the period from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018. The report has been published in a new web form and includes information on children's rights, inspection visits, local authorities, equal treatment, courts, etc.

Please find additional information about the activities of the Chancellor of Justice on our website.

Kertti Pilvik

15-03-2019

Deputy Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho gave a lecture on "Women's Rights in International Law, especially CEDAW," at the Center for Human Rights, an autonomous institute of research and post-graduate teaching associated with the University of Coimbra.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 and entered into force in 1981. The Convention consists of a preamble and 30 articles, 16 of which are substantive rights that must be respected, protected, guaranteed and promoted by the State.

In its Article 1, the Convention defines "discrimination against women" as: "(...) any distinction, exclusion or restriction based on sex and having as its object or effect the prejudice or nullification of the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by the woman regardless of their marital status, based on the equality of men and women, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural and civil fields or elsewhere. "

A high-level conference on the topic of “Impacts of artificial intelligence development on human rights, democracy and the rule of law” was held from February 26-27, 2019, in Helsinki, Finland. The conference was organized by the Finnish government and Council of Europe (CoE) within the framework of the Finnish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

Aydin Safikhanly, the Head of Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also took part in the conference.

Discussions were held within three sessions covering the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on human rights, democracy and the Rule of Law.

In his intervention Mr. Safikhanli mentioned the visit of the first AI humanoid robot Sophia to Azerbaijan that was introduced to the country President within the inauguration of the “ASAN Life” complex. He noted that online application service to the Azerbaijani Ombudsman has been integrated to the e-government portal and is actively used by the population.

In the session of AI on the rule of law Mr. Safikhanli urged to the panelists with the question on the possibility of involving AI to the investigation of criminal cases, especially the crimes against peace and humanity. He emphasized the necessity of a question which arose from the application of double standards against Azerbaijan. He informed the participants about the Khojaly genocide, also the nationwide march held in Baku with the participation of the country President and more than 55,000 Azerbaijanis regarding the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. It was noted that various international organizations were appealed on that issue during 27 years no action towards just legal assessment of these crime was taken due to double standards and political interests. Thus, the will on involvement of AI to the solution of the problem came to the stage due to unjust and biased position demonstrated by some people working in authorized bodies competent in this field.