The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published a report on its ad-hoc visit conducted in Bulgaria between 16 - 23 September 2024 along with the response of the Bulgarian authorities. The objective of the visit was to assess whether CPT recommendations on the treatment and conditions of detention of foreign nationals were implemented.
CPT found that, despite the very good cooperation for the conduct of the visit, the treatment and conditions of detention of foreigners remained the same or worsened compared to their last ad-hoc visit in 2018. CPT monitored aspects related to: material conditions, activities, health-care services, information, interpretation, legal assistance and communication with the outside world.
CPT reiterated that Bulgarian authorities must adopt necessary measures to stop the ill-treatment, and prevent ‘push-backs’.