COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE CONSIDERS THE INITIAL REPORT OF SEYCHELLES

The Committee against Torture today concluded its consideration of the initial report of Seychelles on the efforts made by the State party to implement the provisions of the Convention against Torture.

Introducing the report via video conference, Raymond St Ange, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, recognized and regretted the late submission of the initial report, adding that the country faced some financial and human resource constraints in meeting its reporting obligations. To address those challenges, the Government had established the Seychelles Human Rights Treaty Committee in 2012 to oversee and coordinate the reporting obligations and efforts of Seychelles. Under the country’s Constitution, every person enjoyed the right to dignity and to be free from torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. Over the past years, any potential cases contravening the Convention had been duly explored by the Commission of Inquiry of the President of the Republic. In addition, all other breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms could be investigated by the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Commission. The revised Police Force Act and the Prison Act were expected to enter into force by the end of 2018.

In the ensuing discussion, the Committee Experts reminded that international treaties were not directly applicable by domestic courts, and inquired about the State party’s intent to bring the definition and criminalization of torture in line with the Convention. They further asked about the application of the statute of limitation to the crimes of torture, death in police custody, fundamental legal guarantees, ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention, visits to prisons, respect for non-refoulement, statelessness among the Chagos Islanders, military justice, extraterritorial jurisdiction, and training for the police and defence forces, and judicial and medical personnel. Other issues raised included the treatment of pirates and robbers arrested in the Indian Ocean, prison overcrowding and the use of alternatives to imprisonment before and after trial, inter-prisoner violence, competences of the Prison Advisory Board, redress, compensation and rehabilitation for the victims of torture, the use of compelled testimony or confession as evidence, prohibition of the death penalty, minimum age of criminal responsibility, work of the Anti-Corruption Commission, situation of women and juveniles in detention, and screening of diseases.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. St Ange expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue with the Committee. He thanked the Co-Rapporteurs for their detailed assessment of the State party’s report, and reiterated his Government’s willingness and intention to uphold its international human rights obligations.

Jens Modvig, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for having been well organized and for having answered all the questions by the Committee Members. He expressed hope that the dialogue would be a start of regular reporting by Seychelles.

The delegation of Seychelles included representatives of the Prison Services, the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Home Affairs.

The Committee will next meet in public today at 3 p.m. to conclude the consideration of the sixth periodic report of Chile (CAT/C/CHL/6).

Report

The initial report of Seychelles can be read here: CAT/C/SYC/1.

Presentation of the Report

RAYMOND ST ANGE, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, speaking via video conference, recognized and regretted the late submission of the initial report, adding that Seychelles faced some financial and human resource constraints in meeting its reporting obligations. To address those challenges, the Government had established the Seychelles Human Rights Treaty Committee in 2012, which was composed of representatives from Government ministries and non-governmental organizations. The Committee was mandated to oversee and coordinate the reporting obligations and efforts of Seychelles. Reminding that Seychelles was a young republic which had obtained its independence in 1976, Mr. St Ange noted that it was a multi-party democracy, built on the foundations of a strong culture of respect for human rights, equality and non-discrimination. It was a country inhabited and founded by settlers and migrants of different races, colours and cultures. Under the country’s Constitution, every person enjoyed the right to dignity and to be free from torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. There were no permitted derogations from that article of the Constitution, and the Constitution was the supreme law of the country. Turning to the ongoing revisions of certain laws, Mr. St Ange informed the Committee that the revised Police Force Act and the Prison Act were expected to enter into force by the end of 2018. Over the past years, any potential cases contravening the Convention had been duly explored by the Commission of Inquiry of the President of the Republic. In addition, all other breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms could be investigated by the Ombudsman. The National Human Rights Commission was also empowered to carry out inquiries into any written complaints of alleged violations of human rights.

Speaking of challenges, Mr. St Ange said that they included reinforcing the capacity of public officials, adding that the authorities remained confident and welcomed the technical support of national and international partners in that respect. Seychelles would continue to efficiently cooperate with the various United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms. In 2016, Seychelles had undergone its second Universal Periodic Review session. Furthermore, it had issued a standing invitation to the Special Procedure mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. So far, the country had hosted the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons. In conclusion, Mr. St Ange noted that the delegation was keen to hear the Committee Members’ views on how best Seychelles could improve the promotion and protection of human rights, and to learn from the experience of fellow countries.

Questions by the Country Rapporteurs

ABDELWAHAB HANI, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur for the Seychelles, regretted that the State party’s report was 25 years late, which had deprived the Committee of having the report translated into its working languages, and of receiving alternative reports by civil society. Turning to the definition and criminalization of torture, Mr. Hani reminded that international treaties were not directly applicable by domestic courts in Seychelles. What was the extent of invocation of the Convention by national courts? Was the statute of limitation applied to crimes of torture?

There was no specific provision in Seychelles’ laws defining and criminalizing the crime of torture. Did the State party intend to incorporate the Convention provisions in that regard? What were the legal provisions in the Criminal Code that could refer to torture? Was there any jurisprudence of the Criminal Code relating to the crimes of torture? What was the legal framework for the prosecution of individuals responsible for several cases of death in police custody?

Mr. Hani asked the State party to clarify that the criminalization of torture was absolute. Were the guidelines for the use of force by the police respected at all times?

Moving on to fundamental legal guarantees, Mr. Hani inquired about the right of arrested persons to be informed about the charges against them, and the right to a lawyer, namely the presence of a lawyer throughout the legal procedure. Was the right to communicate with a family member or a person of choice respected? With respect to the right to be brought before a judge, Mr. Hani noted that there was a lack of respect by the police for the 24-hour custody. As for the right to see a medical doctor, there was a shortage of medical professionals.

What was the rate of application of the legal provision on the right to have the Supreme Court decide on the legality of detention? What was the number of times that the provision had been used? Was there a register of non-respect for fundamental legal guarantees during arrest and detention? What was the rate of the involvement of the armed forces in arrest and detention, and did they uphold the same fundamental guarantees?

Were discussions under way regarding the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention? What was the expected ratification date? Did the Government plan to translate the Convention into all three official languages in the country, including Creole? What was the number of visits to prisons by the Prison Advisory Board, the national human rights institution, the Ombudsperson, and by non-governmental organizations?

Were there legal provisions that could invoke respect for non-refoulement? What was the number of persons expelled to countries where they faced a risk of torture? What was the number of asylum seekers in Seychelles? Did the Government plan to adopt a national law on asylum? What was the number of the Chagos Islanders who had not been able to receive the Seychelles nationality?

On military justice, the Co-Rapporteur pointed out to the legal provision on up to 180 days of confinement. Did it amount to solitary confinement? What was the number of cases when such a sanction was ordered?

How did the universal competence to try the crimes of torture apply to vessels and aircrafts registered under the flag of Seychelles?

Finally, Mr. Hani inquired about the situation of women in detention, and those with HIV/AIDS.

BAKHTIYAR TUZMUKHAMEDOV, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur for Seychelles, observed that the information about training for the police and defence forces, judges and judicial personnel, and for medical personnel, was scarce. It was not clear whether it comprised matters relevant to the Convention. Had the State party developed a methodology that would ensure that such training included provisions of the Convention and the Istanbul Convention? The Police Force Act was very general with respect to the duties of police officers vis-à-vis civilians.

In July 2018, the total prison population in Seychelles stood at 397. In the absence of more detailed information, the Committee could not reach any conclusions with respect to the separation of prisoners and overcrowding. Despite the opening of a new prison facility for male inmates in the capital city of Victoria, it was unclear whether there were any plans for the opening of new prison units.

With respect to the problem of piracy and robbery in the Indian Ocean, Mr. Tuzmukhamedov asked about the treatment of arrested pirates and robbers who had been transferred to Seychelles. What would happen to them if the mandate of the European Union Naval Force (Operation Atalanta) was not extended beyond December 2018?

What measures had been taken to reduce prison overcrowding and to use alternatives to imprisonment before and after trial? What was the disaggregated data on the prison population? What were detention conditions in terms of hygiene and medical services? How did the authorities meet the needs of women, minors, and persons with mental disorders? What was the frequency of inter-prisoner violence?

On the competences of the Prison Advisory Board, Mr. Tuzmukhamedov regretted that the State party’s report lacked any information about the investigation of acts of torture and the excessive use of force committed by police officers. Did the State party intend to set up an independent and impartial body to investigate such crimes by the police force?

There was no information available about the measures of redress, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of torture. Were there any ongoing reparation programmes? What was the number of cases of compensation granted?

Under the Criminal Procedure Code, there was no specific provision that barred the use of compelled testimony or confession as evidence. Had any officials been prosecuted for extracting confessions? There was no indication that the prohibition of the death penalty in law was established.

The Co-Rapporteur expressed concern about the fact that the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Seychelles was 7, about deplorable working conditions for foreign workers, as well as about the situation of the forcefully resettled inhabitants of the Chagos Islands.

Questions by Committee Experts

An Expert drew attention to reports by civil society indicating that there had been a 93 per cent increase in the prison population in Seychelles, which was the highest in the world.

What was the situation with respect to prosecuting perpetrators of trafficking in persons, especially of trafficking of children for sex tourism?

What was the nature of compensation under the Seychelles law? What was the work of the Anti-Corruption Commission, which had been established in 2016? What was the role of the prosecutor in the work of the Commission?

The Experts further inquired about the situation of women in detention, namely their number and measures taken by the State party to improve material conditions for incarcerated women. Most convicted women had small children and were single parents.

What was the status of the newly built prison for juveniles? What was the number of minors in prison? What was the rate of juvenile delinquency?

JENS MODVIG, Committee Chairperson, noted the high prevalence of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS among prisoners. How was the screening of diseases done in prisons: before or after incarceration? What measures had been taken to prevent and treat those diseases? What was the general access to medical doctors in detention facilities? As for the suspected pirates held in Seychelles, Mr. Modvig asked the delegation to comment on their treatment and conditions.

Replies by the Delegation

Answering the Experts’ questions about the treatment of suspected pirates and robbers detained in Seychelles, RAYMOND ST ANGE, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, clarified that six Somali citizens were in detention awaiting trial, whereas one detainee had been convicted and was serving his sentence in Seychelles. The Seychelles Government could repatriate them if the Somali Government wanted them back. Those detainees were provided with translation services and they had so far not filed any complaints.

As for fundamental legal guarantees, the delegation explained that each detainee was informed about the charges against him or her, and about the right to contact family or friends, and the right to a lawyer. Turning to training for police officers, the delegation confirmed that human rights were part of that training. It was the Attorney General’s Office that provided training to the police, which was more general and it did not specifically refer to any specific convention. There was no specific body within the police that was mandated to receive complaints; complaints could be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsperson or the National Human Rights Commission.

On Experts’ observation that the 24-hour police custody was not respected, the delegation clarified that the only time when such custody exceeded 24 hours was on weekends or holidays. The only time when a 14-day detention would be applied was when the police needed additional time to conduct investigation. There had been very few instances of extradition from Seychelles and none had involved the risk of torture.

As for extracted confessions, judges were acutely aware when evidence did not meet procedural requirements. The removal of the death penalty from the Constitution had translated into corresponding changes in law.

RAYMOND ST ANGE, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, said that the total prison population in the country on 30 July 2018 stood at 393. Out of those, 250 were convicted male prisoners, and 14 were female. The detention facility in Victoria had a capacity of 40 to 50 persons, and it currently accommodated 26 detainees. There were educational, religious, sports and recreation programmes available to inmates, as well as programmes involving community work outside prison, such as in the fishing and cargo industry, and care for stray dogs.

In March 2018, an inmate had received a presidential pardon for medical reasons, Mr. St Ange said. The special prison at Mary Louise had closed and all inmates had been transferred to the main prison facility, or had been sent to an open-prison facility. The medical facility in the Montagne Posee prison operated Mondays through Fridays, whereas the doctor was available on call on weekends. There was one medical doctor and two nurses.

Inmates were screened for diseases on admission, but only if they wanted that. However, the authorities planned to set up an induction facility to screen all inmates in a systematic and obligatory manner. There were six inmates with HIV/AIDS, and 53 with hepatitis C. Inmates had access to anti-viral treatment.

Speaking of the respect for the principles of non-refoulement, the delegation stated that there had been one identified case of refoulement so far, and no registered cases of people extradited against their will to another country. There was one identified case when the principle of non-refoulement had been invoked and the victim had been allowed to stay in Seychelles as a refugee and had later been resettled in another country. There was only one case of statelessness. There were no known cases of extradition where torture had been invoked.

Military personnel could serve sentences not exceeding 180 days in barracks, which did not amount to solitary confinement. Speaking of education and training programmes for the law enforcement forces and the military, the delegation said that the Government had taken steps to provide such training in line with the national Anti-Terrorism Act.

Responding to the Experts’ questions about what they termed as deplorable work conditions for foreign workers, the delegation said that any such instances were investigated. The relevant joint task force had conducted 35 visits from January to July 2018.

The Government had proposed an amendment to repeal the section relating to corporal punishment and to ban corporal punishment in all educational institutions in the country. No personnel employed by schools could administer corporal punishment.

There were no juveniles in custody at the moment, and no juvenile detention centres. The juvenile court placed minor offenders on alternative sentences, such as conditional discharge, curfew and drug rehabilitation programmes. The authorities had in place programmes to prevent risky behaviour and school dropout among the youth.

Child protection units at the police, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Justice had engaged in sensitization programmes to deal with cases of assault or sexual abuse of children. The country had the Family Violence Protection Act and was working on the Domestic Violence Act. Currently, the authorities were facing some problems in gathering data on violence against women or gender-based violence.

Turning to the issue of statelessness among the Chagos Islanders, the delegation clarified that all of them had received the Seychelles nationality and had integrated in the local society. They enjoyed the same rights as all other citizens. The Government was aware of the problems that they faced due to their expulsion from the Chagos Islands.

The Anti-Corruption Commission was tasked to hold inquiries into allegations of corruption, and to raise awareness of the values of honesty and integrity. It could seek the assistance of the Police Commissioner or any other State authority to investigate offences. Prosecutions could only be conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The Government of Seychelles was keen to ensure that its National Human Rights Commission was up to international standards. It was currently reviewing and revising its National Human Rights Commission in line with the Paris Principles. The National Assembly was currently examining the Seychelles Human Rights Bill.

On trafficking in persons, the delegation stated that the Government had continued taking steps to address trafficking in persons at the national level, which included enacting legislation, establishing a multi-sectoral national committee on trafficking in persons, as well as a standard operating procedure manual and referring mechanism for cases of trafficking. It provided training to front-line officials who may deal with such cases, including to immigration and border control personnel. The country was currently prosecuting its first case of trafficking which involved migrant workers.

With respect to the United Nations Conventions on Statelessness, the Government had noted the relevant recommendation during its second Universal Periodic Review in 2016. It would study the Conventions in conjunction with its domestic processes to determine whether to become a State party to the Conventions. The Government had committed to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and it was in the process of consulting relevant stakeholders. As for the translation of the Convention against Torture into local languages, the delegation said that the Government would consider that suggestion.

Answering the Experts’ question about invoking the Convention against Torture in domestic courts, the delegation explained that courts would only apply the laws as they currently stood. However, they would ensure that any international obligations were given due consideration and that no court decision would be contrary to those obligations.

There was no specific offence of torture in national legislation. However, the Penal Code contained elements of physical and mental torture. The penalties imposed for such offences ranged from misdemeanours (three years in prison) to felonies with more severe sentences. There were also provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code that allowed for an inquest to be carried out by the magistrate or a judge.

The laws in Seychelles did not have any retroactive effect. In cases of illegal detention, courts had previously ordered that compensation be paid for lengthy detention by way of a civil suit. In a few rare instances courts had imposed punitive damages on the State. Civil complaints were always brought against the State. There were no contradictions between the Criminal Procedure Code and judges’ guidelines. In case of contradiction, the Criminal Procedure Code would take precedence. There was no register of statistics on the number of violations of fundamental legal guarantees during arrest and detention.

On the question of extraterritorial jurisdiction, the delegation noted that Seychelles would exercise jurisdiction over violations committed on vessels or aircrafts under the Seychelles flag. There were no cases of persons being extradited for the crimes of torture under the principle of extraterritorial jurisdiction.

As for foreign judges, the delegation said that there was a move to appoint Seychelles nationals as judges. Foreign judges were employed on a contractual basis.

Responding to the Experts’ questions about the revision of the Prison Act, RAYMOND ST ANGE, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, explained that the revision was underway and that the Government would change the name of the Prison Service to the Correction Service, and that it would place more emphasis on the rehabilitation of inmates. In addition, the Government planned to erase section 40 of the Prison Act on prisoners sentenced to death.

Turning to visits to prisons, Mr. St Ange said that since 1 January 2018, the Ombudsperson had conducted two visits to the Montagne Posee prison. The Prison Advisory Board had conducted four visits to the same prison, whereas civil society groups had visited it once. Religious groups did not conduct monitoring visits, but carried out religious sessions with inmates. The Prison Service was in the process of drafting a comprehensive training module for its staff in the Creole language on the humane treatment of prisoners (the Mandela Rules) and on the provisions of the Convention.

As for female prisoners, the Montagne Posee prison housed 14 convicted female inmates and six female inmates on remand in a separate block. They had access to all of the prison’s educational, labour and rehabilitation programmes. The female block of the Montagne Posee prison was the only female prison in the country. Children were housed with their mothers, and juvenile prisoners were held separately, but currently there were no minors in custody. Inmates with special needs were housed in a temporary holding facility.

Speaking of special prisons, Mr. St Ange explained that the President could declare any place in Seychelles as a special prison, as was the case of the Mary Louise prison, which had closed down in November 2017.

The Prison Service had recorded 33 cases of inter-prisoner violence in 2018. In 2016, 18 prisoners had been granted pardon.

Second Round of Questions by the Country Rapporteurs

ABDELWAHAD HANI, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur for Seychelles, asked about the status of the revision of the Penal Code, and about medical negligence of inmates, which could amount to ill-treatment.

Mr. Hani further asked the State party to elaborate on the legal provisions governing the expulsion or extradition of persons to countries where they might be tortured. As for the punishment of military personnel to 180 days of confinement in barracks, he wondered why it did not amount to solitary confinement.

The Co-Rapporteur inquired about the security of tenure for judges, which might influence their independence, and about corruption among judiciary personnel.

The fact that the President could at any time declare an area a special prison could lead to the creation of secret prisons. Did the Government plan to review that provision when it revised its Prison Act?

BAKHTIYAR TUZMUKHAMEDOV, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur for Seychelles, referring to the 2004 Prevention of Terrorism Act, inquired about the training on managing terrorist threats, including on guaranteeing fundamental human rights. Mr. Tuzmukhamedov further asked the delegation to provide a detailed breakdown on the prison population.

What was the purpose of special prisons? What was the progress in drafting the Human Rights Bill? Mr. Tuzmukhamedov further reiterated his concern about the minimum age of criminal responsibility being 7, and asked whether the State party would consider bringing it in line with international standards.

The Co-Rapporteur reiterated his previous question about the investigation of deplorable conditions for migrant workers.

As for the death penalty, Mr. Tuzmukhamedov congratulated the State party for its efforts to erase all the remaining references to the death penalty in legal acts.

Second Round of Questions by Committee Experts

What was the role of the judicial system in the investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission? Had there been any referrals of cases to the Commission?

What kind of training activities were organized for judicial personnel?

JENS MODVIG, Committee Chairperson, observed that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Seychelles’ prisons was very high. He reiterated his question about new cases of HIV/AIDS in prison. Reminding that only 24 prisoners received anti-viral therapy, which covered only half of those infected, Mr. Modvig asked why the coverage was so low.

Replies by the Delegation

The police forces were at the forefront of joint operations with the army, and the army’s role was mainly to protect police personnel. In the event that the army had to resort to an arrest, the said arrest would be conducted as a civil arrest.

As for guaranteeing fundamental legal safeguards during arrest and custody, the right to dignity, liberty, to be informed of charges, the right to a lawyer, and the right to contact family or friends were guaranteed. The right to medical examination was a privilege, but it could be requested by the suspect.

Conferring the Seychelles nationality to Chagos Islanders was late due to the lack of documentation in some cases, and not due to the lack of will on the part of the authorities.

The delegation clarified that there was no solitary confinement for military personnel; their sentence could amount to up to 180 days of restriction to the military base.

A joint task force had conducted 35 visits from January 2018 with respect to foreign workers living in deplorable conditions. In some cases, prosecutions had been initiated and licenses revoked.

Seychelles had a counter-terrorism unit, which had received extensive training, and the Government took part in regional efforts to deal with activities that could finance terrorism. There were no known terrorist threats in Seychelles.

On the national mechanism for the prevention of torture, the delegation explained that the Government would have to assess whether to have a standalone mechanism, or to confer that role to the Human Rights Commission or the Ombudsperson. The Seychelles Human Rights Bill had undergone readings by the members of the National Assembly, and it was currently in front on the Bills Committee of the National Assembly.

In August 2016, four suspected Bengali victims of trafficking in persons had received temporary visas, accommodation and food, as well as translation services. In December 2016, a formal charge had been issued against the alleged trafficker. Closing statements in the case were currently under way.

On the Penal Code provisions relating to torture, the delegation explained that there were provisions relating to assault, kidnapping and abduction. Public officers could be charged with extortion, abuse of authority, and making false claims. Any person who threatened another person with any injury, harm or loss would be prosecuted under those provisions. If an act amounted to torture, there was no time limit for prosecuting it and the court had discretion to order the payment of compensation to victims. There were no immediately available statistics on instances when courts had granted compensation for lengthy pre-trial detention. There had been no cases of medical negligence of inmates.

The delegation could not immediately provide the number of foreign judges in the judiciary. Speaking of corruption in the judiciary, the delegation said that it was reported to the Constitutional Appointment Committee. Legal aid was granted to persons charged with offences independently of their economic status.

RAYMOND ST ANGE, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, clarified that the total prison population in Seychelles stood at 393, out of which 324 were convicted male prisoners, and 14 convicted female prisoners. In addition, there were 49 male prisoners on remand, and six female inmates on remand.

The Prison Service was concerned about the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in prisons, Mr. St Ange said and underlined that medical care was not denied to anyone. However, there were prisoners who refused medical care for various reasons. There was a proposal to remove the provision on special prisons in the revised Prison Act. Special prisons were intended for drug traffickers or dangerous inmates with multiple escapes on their record.

Concluding Remarks

RAYMOND ST ANGE, Superintendent of the Seychelles Prison Service, expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue with the Committee. He thanked the Co-Rapporteurs for their detailed assessment of the State party’s report, and he reiterated his Government’s willingness and intention to uphold its international human rights obligations.

JENS MODVIG, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for having been well organized and for having answered all the questions by the Committee Members. He expressed hope that the dialogue would be a start of regular reporting by Seychelles.


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CAT/18/014E