The main objective of the visit was to examine the measures taken by the Luxembourg authorities, in light of the recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits in 2009 and 2015. To this end, the delegation visited two police stations and two prison establishments, to assess the treatment, conditions of detention and safeguards against ill-treatment afforded to persons deprived of their liberty. It also visited closed psychiatric units in two hospitals to examine the situation and the procedural safeguards offered to patients and detained persons under mental health and criminal legislation. Particular attention was paid to the situation of children deprived of their liberty at the security unit (Unisec) of the State socio-educational centre and at Luxembourg Prison. The delegation also visited the secured rooms in a hospital and the cells in two court houses.
In the course of the visit, the delegation met with Claude Meisch, Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Christine Goy, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, and senior officials from the two above-mentioned ministries, as well as from the Ministries of Foreign and European Affairs, Internal Security, and Health.
In addition, the delegation held discussions with Claudia Monti, Ombudsman, Charel Schmit, Ombudsman for Children and Young People, Gilbert Pregno, President of the Advisory Commission on Human Rights, as well as with members of non-governmental organisations working in areas of concern to the CPT.
At the end of the visit, the delegation provided the Luxembourg authorities with its preliminary observations.
The visit was carried out by the following CPT members:
- Vincent Delbos, Head of Delegation
- Vanessa Durich Moulet
- Răzvan Horaţiu Radu.
They were supported by Vera Manuello and Sebastian Rietz of the CPT Secretariat and assisted by two experts, Catherine Paulet, psychiatrist, head of the Psychiatry, Medicine, Substance use in Detention – Forensic Medicine Unit, University Hospitals of Marseille (France), and Cyrille Orizet, psychiatrist, Georges-Pompidou European Hospital in Paris (France).
The delegation visited the following places of deprivation of liberty:
Police establishments:
- Luxembourg Police Station
- Esch-sur-Alzette Police Station
Prison establishments:
- Luxembourg Prison, Schrassig
- Uerschterhaff Remand Prison, Sanem
Establishments for minors:
- Security Unit (Unisec) of the State Socio-Educational Centre, Dreiborn
Psychiatric establishments:
- Neuropsychiatric Hospital (CHNP), Ettelbruck
- Emile Mayrisch Hospital (CHEM), Esch-sur-Alzette
Other places of deprivation of liberty:
- Cells of the District Tribunal, Cité judiciaire, Luxembourg
- Cells of the Superior Court of Justice, Cité judiciaire, Luxembourg
- Secure rooms of the CHEM, Esch-sur-Alzette.
