[03/12/2012 10:00] In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, the Commissioner expressed his concerns about the decision of the Spanish Government to pardon 5 police officers who were condemned in 2008 for a case of torture. Stressing that torture and other forms of ill-treatment are serious violations of human rights which should never be pardoned, the Commissioner said that "the authorities should never be lenient to such offences, especially when committed by law enforcement agents. The decision taken by the Spanish government sends a dangerous message as it fosters impunity. I urge the government to reconsider its decision, as it undermines the rule of law and Spain's international human rights obligations."