EXTERNALAI INDEX NUMBER: EUR 32/02/93

Amnesty International

International Secretariat

1 Easton Street

London WC1X 8DJ

United Kingdom

Tel: (44) (71) 413 5500

Fax: (44) (71) 956 1157

6 May 1993

LUXEMBOURG: PROLONGED ISOLATION

Amnesty International has learned that Jean-Marie Sauber was placed in isolation (régime cellulaire strict) in Schrassig prison (Centre pénitentiaire de Schrassig) on 7 April 1993. He is not due to be released from solitary confinement until 16 December 1993.

Amnesty International is concerned that prolonged isolation may have serious effects on the physical and mental health of prisoners and may constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Solitary confinement in Schrassig prison is imposed either for disciplinary reasons or in cases where prisoners are classed as dangerous. According to reports received by Amnesty International, prisoners in isolation spend 23 hours per day in their cells. For one hour per day they are transferred into another cell, open to the outside but covered by a wire mesh, where they are allowed to exercise alone.

Amnesty International has raised its concerns about the use of solitary confinement with the Luxembourg authorities and in October 1992 the organization published a 4-page document entitled Luxembourg: Prolonged isolation of detainees in Schrassig prison (AI Index: EUR 32/01/92).

The organization is seeking information from the Luxembourg authorities concerning the measures the prison authorities have taken to alleviate the physical and psychological effects of prolonged isolation on Jean-Marie Sauber.

INTERNALAmnesty International

International Secretariat

AI INDEX: EUR 32/02/93 1 Easton Street

WERAN NO: 16/93London WC1X 8DJ

United Kingdom

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Please send courteously-worded letters of inquiry, preferably in French, German or English, to the following officials (all male):

1. Minister of Justice

Mr Marc Fischbach

Ministre de la Justice

Ministry of Justice

16, boulevard Royal

L-2934 Luxembourg

2.Procurator General

Mr Camille Wampach

Procureur général d'Etat

Parquet Général

12, Côte d'Eich

L-1450 Luxembourg

3.Director of Schrassig prison

Mr Alphonse Wagner

Directeur du C.P.L.

um Kuelebierg

L-5299 Schrassig

Luxembourg

In your letters you should:

(1) explain Amnesty International's general concern that prolonged solitary confinement may have serious effects on the physical and mental health of prisoners and may constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment;

(2) ask to be informed of the reason why Jean-Marie Sauber has been placed in solitary confinement (régime cellulaire strict);

(3) ask whether Jean-Marie Sauber was medically examined before being placed in isolation and whether he has been examined at least twice a week since then, in accordance with article 85 of the "Grand Ducal Regulation of 24 March 1989 concerning the administration and internal regime of prison establishments" (Règlement grand-ducal du 24 mars 1989 concernant l'administration et le régime interne des établissements pénitentiaires);

(4) ask whether any appeal has been made against the decision to place Jean-Marie Sauber in solitary confinement or whether any review of the decision has been carried out;

(5) ask what measures the prison authorities have taken to alleviate the physical and psychological effects of prolonged isolation on Jean-Marie Sauber.

DURATION OF ACTION: UP TO 6 MONTHS FROM RECEIPT OF THIS MAILING. [If after six to eight weeks you have had no response from the authorities listed above, please write to them again, referring to your earlier letter(s).]

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEND THE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT - AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - COPIES OF THE LETTERS YOU SEND TO THE AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS ACTION AS WELL AS ANY REPLIES YOU RECEIVE. THANK YOU.