RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF GREECE TO THE REPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN AND DEGRADING TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT (CPT) FOLLOWING ITS VISIT TO GREECE FROM 27 AUGUST TO 9 SEPTEMBER 2005 The Greek Government is pleased to provide the following response to the Report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment following the Committee’s visit to Greece from 27 August to 9 September 2005. The Government of Greece has taken into consideration the findings and recommendations of the Committee with the greatest seriousness and trusts that the measures that are being taken in response to the recommendations and suggestions of the Committee in accordance with article 3 of the Convention will improve the deficiencies of the prison system, the police stations and the detention facilities for aliens. Following the CPT’s visit, but also well before that, the Greek Government has invested a lot in order to improve the conditions of detention in prisons and other places of detention in Greece. The recommendations by the Committee are precious in helping channeling those efforts towards the desired direction. The following response follows in principle the sequence of the CPT’s Report and refers to precise paragraphs therein when necessary. As far as responses to issues raised under immediate observations (article 8, para 5 of the Convention), the Greek Government has presented its written response to the Committee by November 2005 and January 2006. A. Law enforcement agencies 1. Preliminary Remarks The guiding principle of the policy adopted by the Ministry of Public Order and the Greek Police entails the absolute respect and safeguard for the protection of the rights of citizens as well as the combating of every sort of racist behaviour. A “Modern and effective Police that is characterized by social sensibilities and is close to the citizen” constituted the central strategic goal of the Greek Police for the year 2005 and continues to remain its basic principle for the year 2006 as well as for the following years. The protection of human rights, particularly those of the persons who are detained by police authorities, and the constant updating, supervision and monitoring of the staff concerning the implementation of legislation and the measures aimed at safeguarding them, constitutes a first priority with respect to the actions of the strategy geared to public order and security. (*) In accordance with Article 11, paragraph 3, of the Convention, certain names have been deleted.