ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES  A wide number of States have put in place procedures to enable people to lodge complaints of torture and other ill-treatment with internal and external bodies. Internal complaints bodies and procedures can be found within a broad range of services such as in the police services; prisons; juvenile detention centres; immigration centres; military facilities; hospitals and institutions for the care of children, the elderly, the mentally ill or persons with disabilities. In addition, many States have established external bodies such as national human rights institutions or oversight bodies for particular institutions and services to also handle complaints of mistreatment. Article 13 UNCAT Each State Party shall ensure that any individual who alleges he has been subjected to torture in any territory under its jurisdiction has the right to complain to, and to have his case promptly and impartially examined by, its competent authorities. […] ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES  Key elements for effective complaints procedures include: Provided in law Known and accessible Prompt processing and keeping records of complaints Special consideration for persons in situations of particular vulnerability Provided in law A generic right to complain against human rights violations is often guaranteed by States within their Constitution or legislation. In some national laws, explicit reference is made for victims and others to lodge complaints of torture or other ill-treatment. Victims of torture or ill-treatment in most States also have a right to file a criminal complaint with the police or other law enforcement authority. Uganda: specific provision for the right to complain in anti-torture legislation Article 11 of the 2012 Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act provides any person alleging that an offence under the Act has been committed (whether the person is the victim of the offence or not) with a right to complain to the police, national human rights commission or any other relevant institution or body having jurisdiction over the offence. A prompt investigation into the complaint shall be conducted, and where there are substantial grounds to support the complaint, the police shall arrest and detain the person and accordingly charge the person with the offence he or she is alleged to have committed. TOOL: Complaints and investigations 2/17

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