CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION

NEW CRITICAL REPORT ON LITHUANIAN PRISON SYSTEM

The situation of those detained at Police Stations or Prisons in Lithuania has
once again come in for blistering criticism from Council of Europe Prisons
`watchdog' the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

The issue is of interest to the Celtic League because over the past few years we
have raised concerns with both the Irish and Lithuanian governments following
the detention of Irish nationals in Lithuania's penal system and also attempts
by Lithuania to have other persons from Ireland extradited.

The League has also raised the issue with the CPT citing their own earlier
criticisms and the criticisms of other International bodies e.g. The US State
Department Human Rights Report and the UNHCHR Committee Against Torture.

It is clear from the latest CPT report that not only does Lithuania have a
flawed penal system but that it actively attempts to block International
monitors in the discharge of responsibilities granted to them by Council of
Europe Conventions which Lithuania has ratified (see Appendix 1 comments in the
CPT report).

It is to be hoped that the Irish governments Department of Foreign Affairs are
mindful of this situation and their support to Irish nationals detained in
Lithuania is `tailored' accordingly.

We also trust that a British court, in Belfast, currently considering a warrant
for extradition (to Lithuania) will be mindful of its responsibilities not to
transfer parties into the penal system of a State Party which fails to meet its
obligations under International human rights standards.

The full CPT report on Lithuania can be found at:

http://cpt.coe.int/documents/ltu/2009-22-inf-eng.htm#_Toc217277020

Related links on Celtic News at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2950
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2908
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2888
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2867
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2861
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2851
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2801



J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

04/07/09


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://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/