[prisoner-rights] Italian prison expert to lead European anti-torture watchdog

Strasbourg, 09.03.2007 -- The Council of Europe's European Committee for
the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(CPT) has recently elected Mauro Palma, an Italian specialist on prison
issues, as its new President.

Silvia Casale, who has headed the CPT over the last seven years, recently
stepped down from the Presidency, following her election as the
Chairperson of the new United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of
Torture. Ms Casale remains a member of the CPT.

Upon election, Mr Palma stated: "My election at the time of International
Women's Day gives me the opportunity to underline the CPT's commitment to
the Council of Europe campaign to combat violence against women. The
Committee I have the honour to chair contributes to the campaign's goal by
paying close attention to the treatment and conditions of detention of
women deprived of their liberty. Women in detention constitute a
particularly vulnerable category of prisoner. Consequently, they should
benefit from specific safeguards in order to reduce to a minimum the
suffering inherent in their deprivation of liberty".

Renate Kicker, an Austrian Professor of Public International Law, has been
elected as the CPT's First Vice-President, replacing Mr Palma who formerly
held that post.

Andres Lehtmets, an Estonian psychiatrist, is the CPT's Second
Vice-President.