The Council of Europe’s Anti-Torture Committee (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Norway from 3-10 October 2005. The delegation followed up a number of issues examined during previous visits, including, in particular, the fundamental safeguards against ill-treatment offered to persons deprived of their liberty by the police, the restrictions imposed upon remand prisoners and the situation in psychiatric hospitals. Further, the delegation examined the treatment of prisoners detained in units with very high security.
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It is the Committee’s mandate to, by means of visits, "examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty with a view to strengthening, if necessary, the protection of such persons from torture and from inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
The committee stayed in Norway for one week, and had meetings with the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and the Ministry for Social Affairs. A meeting was also held with the Ombudsman for Children regarding the conditions of children seeking asylum in Norway.
CTP has previously visited Norway on three occasions, in 1993, 1997 and in 1999. On CPT’s previous visit, Norway received criticism from CPT for its treatment of solitary confinement. As a result Norway amended the law to improve custody conditions.
The Council of Europe’s Anti-Torture Committee visits on a routine basis its 46 member countries. The report on CPT’s visit and evaluation was sent the Norwegian government in March 2006, and has upon request from the Norwegian Government, been made public.