Torture 'widespread' in parts of Europe

By Bethany Bell
BBC, Vienna

The European security body, the OSCE, says the continued use of torture in some OSCE states is a matter of great concern.

The OSCE is currently holding a conference, at its headquarters in Vienna, aimed at preventing the use of torture.

Security services are often under pressure to produce results

The report for the OSCE by a leading human rights group, the International Helsinki Federation, says torture remains systematic in several countries, including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Russia.

It said torture is widely used in detention facilities in Uzbekistan, where at least 10 torture related deaths were recorded between late 2001 and 2003.

The report said one recent victim died after 60% to 70% of his body had suffered burns, apparently from immersion in boiling water.

It said police resort to torture in part because of the authorities' demand for a 100% detection rate.

The director of the International Helsinki Federation, Aaron Rhodes, says despite promises, laws in many OSCE countries still fail to expressly prohibit torture.