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Prosecutor
General
z.
Theodor Sollaku
Prokurori
i Pergjithshem,
Rruga
Qemal Stafa,
Tirana,
Republic of Albania
Copy
to:
Minister
of Public Order
Z.
Igli Toska
Ministri
i Rendit Publik
Ministria
e Rendit Publik
Sheshi
Skenderbej, Nr.3
Tirana,
Republic of Albania
Minister
of Justice
Z.
Fatmir Xhafa
Ministri
i Drejtesise
Ministria
e Drejtesise
Blvd
"Zog I"
Tirana,
Republic of Albania;
People's
Advocate (Avokati i Popullit) -Ombudsman
Dr
Ermir Dobjani
Bulevardi
e Deshmoret e Kombit, Nr.3, Kati i II,
Tirana,
Republic of Albania
Nijmegen,
14 april 2005
Dear
Procurator General,
Please
allow me to ask your attention to the following.
Amnesty
International is concerned at reports of the ill-treatment of detainees at police stations in Albania, and at continuing
impunity for police officers reasonably suspected of torture and
ill-treatment.
I
am writing in connection with the alleged ill-treatment of
Merita Kola, aged 22, who was arrested on 23 july 2004 on a
charge of trafficking for prostitution. In a letter she
subsequently sent to you and to the People's Advocate she
protested her innocence.
After
she was arrested, police officers took her to Burrel Police
station, where she was questioned without a lawyer. She alleged
that (named) police officers swore at her, slapped her and
kicked her in the stomach until she lost her consciousness; they
then revived her by pouring water on her. One officer allegedly
tore the ear-ring from one of her ears, causing heavy bleeding,
and the chief prosecutor of Burrel allegedly threatened her.
I
ask you to inform me whether your office has opened an
investigation into the complaint made by Merita Kola, including
the ill-treatment by the named police officers and the threats
allegedly made by the chief prosecutor of Burrel. If your office
opened an investigation, what was the outcome of this
investigation, including details of any criminal charges brought
in connection with this case.
The
allegations made by Merita Kola indicate that she may have been
subjected
to torture, as defined by Article 1 of the UN Convention against
Torture, and that accordingly, should it appear that her
allegations are founded, those responsible should be prosecuted
under Article 86 of the Criminal Code, which criminalises
"Torture and any other degrading and inhuman acts" .
I
remind you that all complaints of torture or ill-treatment
should be promptly, thoroughly and impartially be investigated,
and that any police officer reasonably suspected of torture or
ill-treatment should be brought to justice.
I
recall that all victims of torture and ill-treatment should
have, under the Convention against Torture, to which Albania is
a signatory, an enforceable right to compensation. What measures
will be taken -if any police officers are convicted- to provide
Merita Kola with appropriate compensation.
I
am confident of your good will and sense of justice.
Yours
sincerely,
Josien
Cobben
(signature,
stamp)
Scholeksterstraat
12
6541
LC Nijmegen
The
Netherlands
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