CAT/C/CR/29/4
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(b)
The many consistent reports received concerning the persistence of the
phenomenon of torture and ill-treatment of detainees by law enforcement officials, and the
absence of measures to ensure effective protection and prompt and impartial investigations.
Many of these reports relate to numerous cases of deaths in custody;
(c)
The Committee expresses particular concern at the widespread evidence of torture
and ill-treatment in administrative premises under the control of the State Security Investigation
Department, the infliction of which is reported to be facilitated by the lack of any mandatory
inspection by an independent body of such premises;
(d)
The many reports of abuse of under-age detainees, especially sexual harassment
of girls, committed by law enforcement officials, the lack of monitoring machinery to investigate
such abuse and prosecute those responsible, and the fact that minors kept in places of detention
have contact with adult detainees;
(e)
The reports received concerning ill-treatment inflicted on men because of their
real or alleged homosexuality, apparently encouraged by the lack of adequate clarity in the
penal legislation;
(f)
The continued use of administrative detention in Egypt;
(g)
The fact that victims of torture and ill-treatment have no direct access to the
courts to lodge complaints against law enforcement officials;
(h)
The excessive length of many of the proceedings initiated in cases of torture and
ill-treatment, and the fact that many court decisions to release detainees are not enforced in
practice;
(i)
The legal and practical restrictions on the activities of non-governmental
organizations engaged in human rights work;
(j)
The significant disparities in compensation granted to the victims of torture and
ill-treatment.
E. Recommendations
6.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Reconsider the maintenance of the state of emergency;
(b)
Adopt a definition of torture which fully corresponds to the definition in article 1,
paragraph 1, of the Convention;
(c)
Guarantee that all complaints of torture or ill-treatment, including those relating
to death in custody, are investigated promptly, impartially and independently;