On the occasion of June 26th Day in Support of Victims of Torture, he said countries must ensure that victims of torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment receive adequate compensation, and facilitate their rehabilitation.
According to him, June 26th is the day which draws public attention to the presence of torture throughout the world and the fact that a continuous battle against torture is a necessity.
“Based on numerous visits to the institutions accommodating persons deprived of their liberty, the Ombudsman noted there have been individual cases of torture in Montenegro in recent years”, said Bakovic.
He said that despite significant improvement of conditions of accommodation in recent years, the still inadequate financial situation and overpopulation can lead to actions that may take the form of inhuman or degrading treatment.
“The wider community needs to understand that these individuals who have mental problems or who are in police custody, are not outside the community and that their rights must be affirmed so that one day, when they are again free, they do not repeat their behavior”, said Bakovic adding how the society treats its vulnerable category of citizens is an indicator of the level of democracy and human rights situation in the Montenegro.
As he recalled, the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1984 adopted the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987.
“The Convention obliges signatory states to declare torture a criminal offense and prosecute the perpetrators”, concludes the statement of Bakovic.
