KPP: Problems with police harassment in Serbia remain a serious issue, but there is progress in prisons.

Committee Against Torture:

The problem of police brutality in Serbia remains serious, but there has been some progress in prisons, according to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).

Strasbourg, March 10, 2022

The Committee of the Council of Europe for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published a report on its periodic visit to Serbia from March 9 to 19, 2021, along with a response from the authorities. (see also in Serbian).

In welcoming the measures taken by the Serbian authorities to reduce prison overcrowding and modernize the prison system, the committee emphasizes that police brutality remains a serious issue and recommends taking more decisive action to eradicate it and ensure effective investigation of such allegations.

Regarding the police, the delegation of the KPPC received numerous credible allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment of detainees by police officers (including slaps, punches, kicks, beatings with batons, the use of electric shocks with handheld devices and electric cables, as well as placing individuals in stress-inducing positions during police interrogations).

The committee recommends that the Serbian authorities take more decisive measures to eradicate police brutality.

Regarding prisons, the report welcomes the measures taken by the Serbian authorities to reduce overcrowding and modernize the prison system.

The KPП calls on the Serbian authorities to develop an effective national strategy to address this issue, as well as to improve the availability of activities for inmates, the shortage of staff, and the growing trade in psychoactive substances.

In their response, the Serbian authorities provide information on the measures taken to prevent police brutality against detainees and to improve conditions in prisons and social institutions.