Pasalic: What Pristina is doing to detained Serbs is the definition of torture

Zoran Pasalic, the Protector of Citizens, emphasized that, according to information received from multiple sources, torture, as defined by Article 1 of the European Convention against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, is being inflicted on Serbs detained in Kosovo, Novosti reports.

Pasalic pointed out that torture has been prohibited since 1948 by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"Based on the information we received from various sources, including the liaison officers of Belgrade and Pristina, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, eyewitnesses to arrests and torture after the arrests, relatives of the arrested individuals, and the media, it is evident that torture, as defined by Article 1 of the European Convention against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which includes the infliction of physical and mental or psychological pain and suffering, is being carried out against individuals arrested in the southern province, as well as those participating in protests," Pasalic stated.

Regarding the arrests of Serbs in Kosovo, the Ombudsman has reached out to international institutions responsible for protecting human rights.

"We have written to the SPT and ESPT, which are subcommittees of the United Nations for the Prevention of Torture, as well as the equivalent body at the European level. We expect them to fulfill their duties, and we will continue to address them until they do so. The International Committee of the Red Cross responded that it is a bilateral relationship between them and the temporary institutions of Kosovo and Metohija. The SPT informed us that they would inform their membership. We are not satisfied with the responses; we want concrete actions. Today, we will individually address other bodies responsible for the protection of human rights. We have also written to ombudsman associations at the global and European levels," Pasalic said.

He emphasized that he expects concrete actions from these institutions, as it is their obligation.

"These institutions have frequently come to inspect us; we have hosted them. Although they have visited all institutions, the police, and places where individuals are deprived of liberty, I expect them to fulfill their duties in this case as well. We want concrete actions from bodies responsible for preventing torture, and I see no reason why they should not fulfill their obligations regarding whether torture was inflicted upon detained Serbs and non-Albanian citizens during their arrest and subsequent treatment," he stressed.

As Pasalic added, he did not expect silence from the international community, which is the reason for his further appeal.

"Torture is prohibited in every situation, including emergency situations that have not been declared, as well as in peacetime and wartime, which does not exist. Torture must not be carried out, not only by law enforcement authorities, primarily the police, but also by all others. We have identified other actions that infringe upon the convention, such as arbitrary arrests and restrictions on assembly," he said.

He stated that, along with the liaison officer of Belgrade in Pristina, he would request permission to visit the detained Serbs in order to assess their health condition and treatment.