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Torture in Europe prisons feeds terror: EU watchdog

The EU’s human rights watchdog warns that torture in prisons in Europe is feeding the threat of terrorism. (File photo)

The European Union (EU)’s top human rights watchdog has warned that torture at the hands of European police and prison officers is feeding the threat of terrorism across the continent, demanding an end to such ill-treatment.

Thorbjørn Jagland, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, made the remarks in an opinion piece published by the British daily The Guardian on Tuesday.

Jagland (pictured below) spoke of a number of cases of torture against detainees aimed at extracting a confession, including the use of electric shock, simulated suffocation and stringing up suspects by their hands while being physically assaulted by officers.

According to Jagland, the watchdog's anti-torture committee has unfolded cases of immigrants being chained to metal hooks on the floor and of prisoners being held underground with no access to natural light for months prior to trial.

Jagland urged “all European states to recommit to erasing torture from our continent,” noting that “torture in our cells will only feed terror on our streets.”

In addition, he said that the issue is a matter of European security, as the continent is currently dealing with the problem of extremism among prison inmates.

“Treating people like animals is the surest way to help their humanity disappear,” said Jagland, adding that “we must guarantee basic human rights for anyone in state detention.”

The secretary general of the Council of Europe called on European governments to take greater responsibility, “with oversight bodies that are independent and have real expertise.”

The Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee was founded 25 years ago and its officials have the authority to inspect any prison, police station, immigration detention center and psychiatric ward across Europe without prior notice with the aim to eliminate ill-treatment and torture in European jails.

CAH/HJL/HRB


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