Actively engage with international human rights mechanisms, including submitting timely reports to the UN Committee Against Torture and responding to individual complaints under Article 22 of UNCAT, inviting and implementing recommendations from UN Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts. Guarantee that human rights defenders can engage with these bodies without fear of reprisal.
Conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into all allegations of torture, leading to the prosecution of perpetrators and the provision of effective remedies for victims.
Ensure laws are aligned with international standards, including the UN Convention Against Torture and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for any form of police brutality or institutional violence. Publicly commit to eradicating these practices and demonstrate political will by holding perpetrators accountable.
Guarantee that detention facilities provide adequate food, drinking water, sanitation, personal hygiene, clothing, bedding, ventilation, and lighting.
Conduct thorough medical examinations of people deprived of their liberty following any use of force, and document the findings in accordance with international standards.
Establish independent investigative bodies with the mandate to conduct thorough and impartial investigations into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment. These bodies should operate independently of any institutions potentially involved in such acts.
Adopt and implement the Istanbul Protocol for the effective documentation and investigation of torture and ill-treatment. Ensure that all forensic examinations are conducted independently and in accordance with international standards.
Update and enforce national legislation to criminalise all forms of violence against vulnerable groups, including women, children, LGBTQIA+ individuals and ethnic minorities. This should cover rape, marital rape, sexual violence, domestic violence and gender-based violence in all forms. Strengthen protections against gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, femicide and harmful practices such as forced marriages and female genital mutilation.
Ensure that national legislation on access to information is fully implemented and that all government bodies comply with requests for information. This should include transparent procedures for making information accessible to the public, protecting personal data, and providing justifications for any refusals.
Urgently call to release everyone arbitrarily detained, repeal foreign agent legislation, and legislation criminalising freedom of expression and facilitate a free environment for HRDs.
Access to information must be guaranteed in every society, both in law and practice, to ensure State transparency and accountability. It allows organisations, journalists, and interested individuals to request data on the actions of public bodies, protocols, and statistics on human rights violations. This right not only enhances public debate and civic participation in decision-making but also helps improve public policies and safeguards the dignity of individuals in State custody. Civil society organisations and human rights defenders play a key role in monitoring access to information laws and their implementation. This indicator reflects the challenges of accessing information within the country—the higher the score, the less transparent the State.
