Strasbourg, 12.03.2012 – Thorbjørn Jagland today expressed his concerns over the treatment of persons detained in Ukraine. Speaking as the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) issued conclusions from its visit to police and pre-trial establishments at the end of 2011, the Secretary General said:

"These preliminary observations identify a number of shortcomings regarding detention conditions in Ukraine and I trust the authorities will take appropriate measures without delay."

"I am also particularly concerned about Ms Yulia Tymoshenko's deteriorating health conditions. Ms Tymoshenko's application to the European Court of Human Rights concerning her detention is being examined as a matter of priority by the Court. I have noted statements by high Ukrainian authorities that Ukraine will surely implement the Court's decision. In the meantime, I would underline that it is the responsibility of the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that Ms Tymoshenko is treated appropriately and in accordance with Ukraine's commitments to the Council of Europe." (more...)