International Day in support of victims of torture

On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the chairperson of the Austrian Ombudsman Board Günther Kräuter acknowledges the work of the Expert Commissions and the Human Rights Advisory Council. Kräuter: “The Expert Commissions that have been in operation for two years now, are performing an excellent job and have – after more than 900 unannounced visits – drawn attention to the National Preventive Mechanism that seeks the prevention of human rights violations.” Many structural changes as well as improvements, as for example in nursing homes or in facilities providing youth welfare services, have already become apparent or are already on the horizon.

In addition, the Human Rights Advisory Council that – since summer of 2012 - has been supporting the Austrian Ombudsman Board with statements and expertise, played an important role in achieving such a positive development: “The unanimous agreement on the rejection of the use of cage beds in psychiatric institutions or the fierce criticism on the operations carried out by private securities on the patient, support the Austrian Ombudsman Board to a great extent”, explains Kräuter.

Austrian Ombudsman Board submits Report on the Prevention of Torture to the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture

The Austrian Ombudsman Board is obliged to annually report to the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) and to inform the SPT about its work as preventive mechanism. Today a corresponding report will be submitted to the UN Subcommittee as well as to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. “The activities and the past experiences of the Austrian Ombudsman Board as National Preventive Mechanism demonstrate how important functional rule-of-law structures and international instruments are in order to effectively combat torture”, concludes Kräuter.