CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION


FRENCH PRISON SYSTEM CONDEMNED AGAIN


In a resounding endorsement of the criticisms that the Celtic League
have levelled at the French judicial and prison system the Council
of Europe has produced a damning report.

The Commissioner for Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, identifies a
wide range of shortcomings regarding the administration of justice,
detention conditions, the treatment of arriving foreigners, asylum
and expulsion procedures, discrimination and xenophobia, domestic
violence and trafficking in human beings. His comprehensive report
is available on the internet at;


http://www.coe.int/T/E/Commissioner_H.R/Communication_Unit/CommDH%282006%292_E.d\
oc

Most pertinently from the point of view of the Celtic League Commissioner
Gil-Robles alludes clearly, in the recommendations section of the
report, to the French governments policy of ignoring the need to ensure
that prisoners are detained at facilities that enable them to maintain
links with their family and community.

He says the French government should;

"Make every effort to ensure that finally sentenced persons are held
close to their homes to help maintain links; Extend the system of
family living units to all prisons."

However the French government is well aware of this human rights objective
which is clearly set out in European Prison Rules published by the
Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture.

The Celtic League, during the past five years, has repeatedly cited
this principle when expressing concern at the protracted detention
of Breton political prisoners away from trheir families at facilities
outside Brittany.

It remains to be seen if this latest International focus on the excesses
of the French penal system will lead to reform.

J B Moffatt
Secretary General
Celtic League

18/02/06


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at
http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/




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