E/CN.4/2004/3/Add.3
page 4
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which was established pursuant to
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1991/42 and whose mandate was extended by
Commission resolution 2003/31, visited Argentina from 22 September to 2 October 2003 at the
invitation of the Argentine Government. The delegation consisted of Mr. Tamás Bán, head of
the delegation and Vice-Chairperson of the Working Group, and Ms. Soledad Villagra de
Biedermann, a member of the Working Group. The delegation was accompanied by the
Secretary of the Working Group, an official from the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and two interpreters from the United Nations Office at
Geneva.
2.
The visit included the Federal Capital and the provinces of Buenos Aires, Mendoza and
Salta. Logistical problems prevented the Working Group from visiting the province of
Santiago del Estero, a visit that was of particular interest to the Group. During its visit, the
delegation met with various federal and provincial officials and with representatives of national
and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It was able to visit 11 detention centres and
had meetings, in private and without witnesses, with 205 detainees.
3.
The Working Group would like to express its gratitude to the Argentine Government,
particularly the Office of the Secretary for Human Rights of the Ministry of Justice, Security and
Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme, which helped draw up the
programme of the visit, and the Argentine NGOs concerned.
4.
The Working Group regrets that it was not able to visit the province of
Santiago del Estero, for logistical reasons beyond its control.
I. PROGRAMME OF THE VISIT
5.
The Working Group was able to visit the following detention centres:
(a) the Sarmiento police station in the Federal Capital; (b) the Abastos police station in the
Federal Capital; (c) Unit 2 of the Federal Prison Service (Villa Devoto) in the Federal Capital;
(d) maximum security unit No. 29 in the province of Buenos Aires; (e) a police station in the
city of La Plata; (f) the provincial penitentiary in Mendoza; (g) the Social and Educational
Guidance Centre (COSE), a youth custody centre, in Mendoza; (h) the youth custody centre
in Salta; (i) federal detention centre No. 7 - Salta branch of the Gendarmería Nacional;
(j) operational unit No. 2 - provincial police headquarters; and (k) the headquarters of the
Salta Criminal Investigation Division.
6.
The Working Group met in Buenos Aires with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the
Minister of Justice, Security and Human Rights, the Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Commission
on Rights and Freedoms, members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, the Ombudsman, a
judge from the Supreme Court of Justice, the Attorney-General, the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, the Secretary for Human Rights, the Secretary for Justice and the Chief of Staff of the
Office of the Secretary for Human Rights.