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Dear reader,
This is the third annual report on the activities of the Protector of Citizens
performed in the capacity of the National Preventive Mechanism in the
Republic of Serbia.
Prevention of torture derives from the duties of the Republic of Serbia
towards its citizens and from the international convention accessed by
Serbia.
In 2014, 79 visits were made to places of detention and 345
recommendations were issued to the competent authorities based on the
identified irregularities in their work.
By presenting the findings and general and specific recommendations for
improvement of the situation, the Report offers a clear and accessible route
towards a torture-free society as the ultimate ideal we should strive to
attain. However, the Report makes it clear that practical steps towards
this unattainable ideal are not themselves shrouded in mystery, n or are
they unattainable; indeed, most of them are not even too onerous or costly.
All we need to do is to take these steps as quickly as possible, without
excuses and exceptions, for the sake of victims of torture and for the sake
of our own dignity. If even one human being is exposed to inhuman
treatment, the dignity of each and every one of us is threatened.
I would like to express my gratitude to all authorities, citizens’
associations and individuals I cooperated with during the reporting
period in the capacity of the National Preventive Mechanism.
Saša Janković,
Protector of Citizens