Human rights update

Conditions in detention

The applicant in Benediktov v Russia (Application No 106/02) complained that he had been detained in prison cells in Moscow, which failed to meet the minimum standards demanded by the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention). On one occasion, his cell provided less than one square metre of personal space, and a shortage of beds required inmates to share sleeping facilities. He also complained about bed bugs, lice and a lack of fresh air and light due to windows being blocked with thick metal bars. It was extremely cold in winter and hot, stuffy and damp in summer. Similarly, the applicant in Andrev Frolov v Russia (Application No 205/02) complained that he had been held in 11 different cells over a period of four years—each measuring eight square metres which usually accommodated up to 14 inmates who all used the same lavatory pan.

Dignity & detainees

The Russian government could not provide