Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
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Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by christabel Fri May 28, 2010 10:54 am
PORTUGAL
PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC
Head of state: Aníbal António Cavaco Silva
Head of government: José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa
Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
Population: 10.7 million
Life expectancy: 78.6 years
Under-5 mortality (m/f): 6/5 per 1,000
Adult literacy: 94.9 per cent
The judicial investigation into alleged complicity
by Portuguese authorities with the illegal transfer of
prisoners to Guantánamo Bay was closed in May on
the grounds of lack of evidence.
Two former Guantánamo Bay detainees took up residency in
Portugal. Domestic violence led to numerous deaths.
Investigations into allegations of torture by law
enforcement officials proceeded slowly, with
evidence of impunity.
Counter-terror and security
At the end of May the judicial investigation into
suspected CIA rendition flights and other illegal
transfers of prisoners to Guantánamo Bay alleged to
have crossed through Portuguese territory was closed
by the public prosecutor on the grounds of
insufficient evidence. Ana Gomes, a Portuguese
member of the European Parliament, submitted an
appeal in July calling for the investigation to be
continued, arguing that it had been inadequate. She
cited numerous shortcomings, including the failure to
take testimony from relevant intelligence service
officials, the foreign affairs and defence ministers,
former prime ministers, US embassy officials, or the
directors of the Portuguese Civil Aviation Institute and
air traffic control authorities. She also criticized the
failure of the prosecutor to request clarification from
264 Amnesty International Report 2010
P
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about whether its
exceptional authorizations to the USA allowing “the
transport of contentious material and people”
included the transfer of prisoners to secret detention
centres. The appeal was rejected in September by the
public prosecutor, who stated that the additional
investigatory measures requested were “irrelevant”.
On 28 August, two Syrian detainees at
Guantánamo Bay were released and transferred to
Portugal. They were not able to return to Syria due to
the risk of torture and other serious human rights
violations. The Portuguese government granted both
men residence permits on humanitarian grounds, and
confirmed that no charges would be brought against
them.
Violence against women and girls
The Portuguese Association for Victim Support
registered 15,904 complaints concerning domestic
violence in 2009. These included 16 murders.
Torture and other ill-treatment
Criminal investigations into allegations of torture and
other ill-treatment by law enforcement officials
continued in 2009.
On 22 May the Criminal Court of Faro issued its
sentence in the case of the torture of Leonor Cipriano.
The court recognized that she had been tortured in
police custody in 2004, but acquitted all three police
officers, claiming that it was impossible to identify
exactly who had been responsible. A fourth officer was
convicted of giving false testimony and another was
convicted of falsifying documents. Leonor Cipriano’s
appeal was pending at the end of the year.
By the end of the year, no trial date had been set for
three judicial police officers accused of torturing
Virgolino Borges in March 2000. The case was due to
go to trial in November 2008 but was delayed pending
further medical examinations requested by the
defence. Virgolino Borges said that he had been
tortured by police officers who punched him and beat
him on the soles of his feet with a wooden post while in
custody. The investigation had been closed in 2005 by
the public prosecutor, who stated that Virgolino Borges’
injuries could have been self-inflicted. Virgolino Borges
appealed against this decision to the Lisbon region
courts: first to the Tribunal de Instrução and then to the
Tribunal da Relação, which in November 2005 ordered that the case go to trial.
http://thereport.amnesty.org/sites/default/files/AIR2010_AZ_EN.pdf#page=211
PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC
Head of state: Aníbal António Cavaco Silva
Head of government: José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa
Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
Population: 10.7 million
Life expectancy: 78.6 years
Under-5 mortality (m/f): 6/5 per 1,000
Adult literacy: 94.9 per cent
The judicial investigation into alleged complicity
by Portuguese authorities with the illegal transfer of
prisoners to Guantánamo Bay was closed in May on
the grounds of lack of evidence.
Two former Guantánamo Bay detainees took up residency in
Portugal. Domestic violence led to numerous deaths.
Investigations into allegations of torture by law
enforcement officials proceeded slowly, with
evidence of impunity.
Counter-terror and security
At the end of May the judicial investigation into
suspected CIA rendition flights and other illegal
transfers of prisoners to Guantánamo Bay alleged to
have crossed through Portuguese territory was closed
by the public prosecutor on the grounds of
insufficient evidence. Ana Gomes, a Portuguese
member of the European Parliament, submitted an
appeal in July calling for the investigation to be
continued, arguing that it had been inadequate. She
cited numerous shortcomings, including the failure to
take testimony from relevant intelligence service
officials, the foreign affairs and defence ministers,
former prime ministers, US embassy officials, or the
directors of the Portuguese Civil Aviation Institute and
air traffic control authorities. She also criticized the
failure of the prosecutor to request clarification from
264 Amnesty International Report 2010
P
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about whether its
exceptional authorizations to the USA allowing “the
transport of contentious material and people”
included the transfer of prisoners to secret detention
centres. The appeal was rejected in September by the
public prosecutor, who stated that the additional
investigatory measures requested were “irrelevant”.
On 28 August, two Syrian detainees at
Guantánamo Bay were released and transferred to
Portugal. They were not able to return to Syria due to
the risk of torture and other serious human rights
violations. The Portuguese government granted both
men residence permits on humanitarian grounds, and
confirmed that no charges would be brought against
them.
Violence against women and girls
The Portuguese Association for Victim Support
registered 15,904 complaints concerning domestic
violence in 2009. These included 16 murders.
Torture and other ill-treatment
Criminal investigations into allegations of torture and
other ill-treatment by law enforcement officials
continued in 2009.
On 22 May the Criminal Court of Faro issued its
sentence in the case of the torture of Leonor Cipriano.
The court recognized that she had been tortured in
police custody in 2004, but acquitted all three police
officers, claiming that it was impossible to identify
exactly who had been responsible. A fourth officer was
convicted of giving false testimony and another was
convicted of falsifying documents. Leonor Cipriano’s
appeal was pending at the end of the year.
By the end of the year, no trial date had been set for
three judicial police officers accused of torturing
Virgolino Borges in March 2000. The case was due to
go to trial in November 2008 but was delayed pending
further medical examinations requested by the
defence. Virgolino Borges said that he had been
tortured by police officers who punched him and beat
him on the soles of his feet with a wooden post while in
custody. The investigation had been closed in 2005 by
the public prosecutor, who stated that Virgolino Borges’
injuries could have been self-inflicted. Virgolino Borges
appealed against this decision to the Lisbon region
courts: first to the Tribunal de Instrução and then to the
Tribunal da Relação, which in November 2005 ordered that the case go to trial.
http://thereport.amnesty.org/sites/default/files/AIR2010_AZ_EN.pdf#page=211
christabel- Admin
- Number of posts : 1637
Age : 74
Location : OK
Registration date : 2008-04-26
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Pedro Silva Sat May 29, 2010 3:30 am
International Amnesty refers cases of Leonor Cipriano and Virgolino Borges at the 2010 report about human rights.
The investigations about complaints of torture committed by police conducted slowly in Portugal last year, with «evidences of impunity», refers International Amnesty (AI) at the 2010 report about the situation of human rights in the world. About the Portuguese situation about torture and other maltreatment, the Amnesty refers the Cases of Leonor Cipriano and Virgolino Borges (CP worker suspected of robbery). At the report, can be read that in 2009, the criminal investigations carried out about these complaints against police officers and recalled that the Faro court pronounced the sentence of the Leonor Cipriano case, recognized that it has been tortured under police custody in 2004. «However, absolved the three policemen, claimed that it was impossible to identify exactly who was the responsible, while a fourth agent was condemned by false testimony and other for fabricated documents?, says the authors of the report, indicating that at the final of the year was pendent the appeal of Leonor Cipriano.
Another case is also at the Amnesty´s report, named by Lusa: «at the end of the year, no scheduled date for the hearing of the three PJ agents accused of torture Virgolino Borges in March 2000. The Amnesty refers that the case was about to be judged in November 2008, but it was postponed, «until the realization of additional medical exams requested by defense».
Virgolino Borges told that he was being tortured under custody that «punched him, and kicked him at the soles of his feet with a wooden stick». «The investigation was closed i 2005 by the Attorney General´s office, which alleged that the injuries could have been self-inflicted», refers the Amnesty which also added that the complainant appealed about the decision of the courts, being ordered by the Relation Court in 2005 that the case went on trial.
At the document are also listed the cases of domestic violence against women and girls registrated in 2009 by the Portuguese Association of Support To The Victim (APAV) 15 904 complaints, 16 of which of homicide.
The organization also summarizes about the relative steps about the investigation of a supposed cumplicity of Portuguese authorities of «illegal transfer» of prisoners to Guantanamo Bay, closed one year ago by lack of evidences, recalling that the two former detained of that prison set residence in Portugal.
The investigations about complaints of torture committed by police conducted slowly in Portugal last year, with «evidences of impunity», refers International Amnesty (AI) at the 2010 report about the situation of human rights in the world. About the Portuguese situation about torture and other maltreatment, the Amnesty refers the Cases of Leonor Cipriano and Virgolino Borges (CP worker suspected of robbery). At the report, can be read that in 2009, the criminal investigations carried out about these complaints against police officers and recalled that the Faro court pronounced the sentence of the Leonor Cipriano case, recognized that it has been tortured under police custody in 2004. «However, absolved the three policemen, claimed that it was impossible to identify exactly who was the responsible, while a fourth agent was condemned by false testimony and other for fabricated documents?, says the authors of the report, indicating that at the final of the year was pendent the appeal of Leonor Cipriano.
Another case is also at the Amnesty´s report, named by Lusa: «at the end of the year, no scheduled date for the hearing of the three PJ agents accused of torture Virgolino Borges in March 2000. The Amnesty refers that the case was about to be judged in November 2008, but it was postponed, «until the realization of additional medical exams requested by defense».
Virgolino Borges told that he was being tortured under custody that «punched him, and kicked him at the soles of his feet with a wooden stick». «The investigation was closed i 2005 by the Attorney General´s office, which alleged that the injuries could have been self-inflicted», refers the Amnesty which also added that the complainant appealed about the decision of the courts, being ordered by the Relation Court in 2005 that the case went on trial.
At the document are also listed the cases of domestic violence against women and girls registrated in 2009 by the Portuguese Association of Support To The Victim (APAV) 15 904 complaints, 16 of which of homicide.
The organization also summarizes about the relative steps about the investigation of a supposed cumplicity of Portuguese authorities of «illegal transfer» of prisoners to Guantanamo Bay, closed one year ago by lack of evidences, recalling that the two former detained of that prison set residence in Portugal.
Pedro Silva- Grand Member
- Number of posts : 5592
Location : Portugal
Registration date : 2008-10-20
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Guest Sat May 29, 2010 3:40 am
Brilliant stuff, thanks guys.
Guest- Guest
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Pedro Silva Sat May 29, 2010 4:30 am
You welcome my friend. About my translation above, the credit goes to Marcos also, because he sent me this news, which I translated.
Pedro Silva- Grand Member
- Number of posts : 5592
Location : Portugal
Registration date : 2008-10-20
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Guest Sat May 29, 2010 5:16 am
Interestingly all the previous reports still are archived on the amnesty site.
All exept the one I have on my blog http://modnrodder.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/a-response-for-joana-morais-benefit/
The link does not exsist anymore. http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/portugal/report-2009
I wonder why? I intend to find out.
All exept the one I have on my blog http://modnrodder.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/a-response-for-joana-morais-benefit/
The link does not exsist anymore. http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/portugal/report-2009
I wonder why? I intend to find out.
Guest- Guest
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Cath Sat May 29, 2010 6:18 am
Still works fine for me that link Mod. Report 2007, 2008 and 2009
Cath- Star Poster
- Number of posts : 722
Location : Holland
Registration date : 2009-04-10
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Guest Sat May 29, 2010 7:51 am
It's working for me now as well thanks.
Dont know what happened earlier. Maybe re arranging for new reports.
Dont know what happened earlier. Maybe re arranging for new reports.
Guest- Guest
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by maria Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:34 pm
One thing that doesn't come clear from these reports is the names of those involved in the torture case, the (alledged?) torturers. Probably to respect reputations, I would say. However, it should be interesting to know that, for instance, one of the arguidos on Virgolino's case is no more no less than Inspector Chief Tavares de Almeida.
Nice bunch they got down there in Portimão!
Nice bunch they got down there in Portimão!
maria- Grand Member
- Number of posts : 1128
Location : Portugal
Registration date : 2008-07-04
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by Sabot Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:59 pm
maria wrote:One thing that doesn't come clear from these reports is the names of those involved in the torture case, the (alledged?) torturers. Probably to respect reputations, I would say. However, it should be interesting to know that, for instance, one of the arguidos on Virgolino's case is no more no less than Inspector Chief Tavares de Almeida.
Nice bunch they got down there in Portimão!
Gosh, Maria. I am shocked. Who would have thought it?
This is getting bloody ridiculous.
Sabot- Star Poster
- Number of posts : 764
Location : France
Registration date : 2009-10-25
Re: Amnesty International Portugal and Torture
by christabel Tue Jun 08, 2010 11:16 pm
maria wrote: However, it should be interesting to know that, for instance, one of the arguidos on Virgolino's case is no more no less than Inspector Chief Tavares de Almeida.
Nice bunch they got down there in Portimão!
Should we be surprised Maria? Of course not, look who his best buddy is.
christabel- Admin
- Number of posts : 1637
Age : 74
Location : OK
Registration date : 2008-04-26
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