News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
19 October 2000 EUR 01/005/2000 197/00
Amnesty International's new global Campaign Against Torture was launched today, beginning with events in Tokyo and
moving on to Beirut, Nairobi, London and Buenos Aires. The organization is calling for worldwide action towards the
abolition of torture.
Torture and ill-treatment persists across the European region -- from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan. Torture and ill
treatment has been documented by Amnesty International in at least 25 countries, 20 of them member states of the Council
of Europe including Belgium, Russia and Spain.
"Torture is prevalent throughout Europe. Governments have it in their power to change this and to rid the region of
this gross act of inhumanity," Amnesty International said today.
Individuals have suffered beatings, sexual abuse, mock hangings, electric shock treatment, racist abuse and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment at the hands of police.
Torture feeds off discrimination. It is easier for the torturer to inflict pain on someone who is seen as less human --
someone from despised social, ethnic or political group.
There is a clear link between racism and torture. For example, many victims of police brutality in Europe are members
of other ethnic minorities or marginalized groups. Across Europe, Roma people are commonly viewed as criminals and
subjected to beatings.
Amnesty International's latest 'Concerns in Europe' bulletin (September), details recent reports of torture and
ill-treatment including the death in custody of a Roma man in Portugal, the ill-treatment of Afghan asylum-seekers by
guards at a detention centre in Hungary and the ill-treatment and racist abuse of a 17-year-old Angolan secondary
student living in Switzerland.
Immigrants, migrant workers and asylum-seekers who have left their homes in search of security often encounter
ill-treatment by officials. In Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, foreign nationals have died during
deportation, allegedly as a result of excessive use of force by police or dangerous methods of restraint.
"European countries should work harder to uphold standards and end the blight of impunity which exists for police and
security forces. Respect for human rights includes bringing to justice those who violate them," Amnesty International
urged.
During its year-long campaign, Amnesty International will be mobilising its membership in Europe and throughout the
world, and working together with other organizations to change public and official attitudes towards torture. It will be
calling on the Europe's governments to take real steps to prevent torture, and to address impunity and discrimination.
For more information on the Torture Campaign visit Amnesty International's websight: www.stoptorture.org
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