A special UN anti-torture task force, assigned to investigate and inspect cases of possible torture, mistreatment, and violations of prisoners’ human rights, landed in Athens on Tuesday.
The UN unit called the “Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” (SPT), will be on a 12-day mission in Greece, as part of its regular audits of police stations, migrant detention centers, correctional facilities or prisons, and border security checkpoints.
The visit comes in the wake of the recent death of a 29-year-old man from Bangladesh who was reported to have been found hanged in a police station, according to anonymous police sources, as reported by Greek public broadcaster ERT.
The UN anti-torture task force will conduct a series of in-person interviews with high-ranking officers, including the Greek police, the Coast Guard, and the Ombudsman.
Reports suggest the Ombudsman will raise serious issues of misconduct by Greek law enforcement services during the meeting with the UN unit.
According to news sources, the leadership of the Greek police (EL.AS) has instructed all officers and services to cooperate with the UN team and grant its members full access to all areas, including detention facilities, without restrictions or escort.
The internal document forwarded emphasizes that the inspectors have the right to interview detained individuals or anyone else without exception
