Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...............................................................................................................1
Section I. Introduction ............................................................................................................2
1. Background ....................................................................................................................2
2. Methodology ..................................................................................................................3
Section III. Torture and Ill-treatment ......................................................................................4
1. Torture and physical ill-treatment by prison staff ............................................................4
1.1. Human rights norms and standards...........................................................................4
1.2. General overview .....................................................................................................6
Case example of physical abuse: Banja Luka riots ..........................................................8
1.4 Victims of psychological or mental abuse .................................................................9
2. Professionalism of prison staff ......................................................................................11
2.1. International and domestic norms and standards.....................................................11
2.2. General Observations .............................................................................................11
3. Inter-prisoner violence ..................................................................................................12
3.1. International human rights standards ......................................................................12
3.2. General observations..............................................................................................13
3.3. Response of authorities and circumstances .............................................................14
Section IV. Complaints and Disciplinary proceedings...........................................................14
1. Complaint procedures and remedial action regarding ill-treatment ................................14
1.1. International human rights standards ......................................................................14
1.2. Observations regarding complaints procedures.......................................................15
2. Disciplinary proceedings...............................................................................................15
2.1. International and BiH standards .............................................................................15
2.2. Proceedings............................................................................................................16
2.3. Use of solitary confinement..................................................................................17
3. Means of restraint .........................................................................................................17
1.1.1. Conclusions ........................................................................................................17
Section V. Channels of communication ................................................................................18
1. Communication within prison personnel structures .......................................................18
2. Channels of communication with prisoners...................................................................18
Section VI. Conclusions and recommendations ....................................................................19
1. Closing remarks............................................................................................................19
2. Recommendations ........................................................................................................19
2.1. Towards prevention of ill-treatment and equal rights of prisoners...........................19
2.1.1 Towards combating violence and ensuring appropriate treatment .........................19
2.1.2. Towards improving disciplinary and complaint proceedings ...............................20
Annexes ...............................................................................................................................22
A. Methodology................................................................................................................22
B. Methodology checklist for prison visits ........................................................................24
C. Questionnaire...............................................................................................................27