“have access to clean air” Special denies accusations of inhuman treatment of KLA leaders

The Hague Specialised Chambers have reacted after two letters sent by former KLA leaders. The first was a denial letter for meeting with the Special People's Lawyer, and the second was a complaint about extreme restrictions on meeting lawyers.

In a response to the National Journal, Periscopi broadcasts, the Special Court has denied charges of inhuman treatment. They have stressed that the conditions at the Paradition Centre are by standard, citing the approach accused has in the clean air!

The detainees in The Hague have daily access to clean air and exercise, the opportunity to play sports such as tennis, table tennis, football and basketball, and to deal with gardeners. They have access to an art room where they can engage in creative activities such as painting and a music room with instruments. They have the opportunity to cook and share meals together and associate. The detainees can participate in religious services. They have access to writing material. They also have access to radio and television programs in Albanian, as well as in books, magazines and daily newspapers”, reported in their response.

Without commenting on the rejection of the meeting with the ombudsman, the Special has said the accused might complain even to this institution, until judges. But according to them, there has been no complaint with the ombudsman so far.

The detained “may at any time complain to the Ombudsman of Specialised Chambers or International Committee of the Red Cross. They could also complain to the main detention official. A complaint procedure allows them to file their complaint with the recorder and, as a last resort, before judges. For each official complaint filed with the Ombudsman, a report is issued and released on the website. If you look at the web site, you will see that none of the detainees have been filed any formal complaint about conditions within the ombudsman's detention centre”, we are told.

The Special Court has denied allegations that there are extreme restrictions on meeting lawyers, despite such a fact said in Thaci's letter and others.

In fact, the detainees have several ways to communicate confidentially with their Protector. They can make and receive calls with their lawyers anytime on privileged and secure telephone lines. Every detainee also has a computer in his cell that provides confidential and secure communication with their defence team at all times. The detainees also have the opportunity to meet with their defence teams via videoconferencing”, it says in response.

When it comes to personal visits with the Lawyer, the overwhelming majority of requests are met on the date and hour required. In rare cases when the schedule is busy because of the need for the ten detainees to have visits with family, friends and acquaintances, as well as with the lawyer, an alternative time, an appropriate location, or other means of communication (such as a video visit)”, the answer concludes.