TNAG-2156-FCO40-3076-International-Covenant-on-Civil-and-Political-Rights-(ICCPR)-1990 — Page 130

CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 98

B.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

1. General

There is nothing to add further to paragraphs 1 to 10 of the initial report on the British Virgin Islands.

1.

2.

2.

Information relating to articles in parts I, II and III of the Covenant

The following information is supplementary to that provided in the United Kingdom's first and second reports on the British Virgin Islands and given by the United Kingdom delegation at the meetings of the Human Rights Committee which discussed these reports. Articles in relation to which no new legislative or administrative developments have occurred are not included in this report. Inclusion of particular points does not necessarily mean that the United Kingdom considers that they fall within the scope of particular articles of the Covenant.

Article 7

The

3. In December 1988, the United Kingdom ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. ratification was extended to the British Virgin Islands.

4.

Article 9

Further to the information given in the initial report, all persons arrested by the police are served with a document outlining their rights as prisoners, such as the reason for arrest, the availability of the use of the telephone and the right to contact a lawyer, relative or friend and to see a medical practitioner if the person arrested is injured or ill, etc.

5.

Article 10

At the request of the British Government, H.M. Chief Inspector of Prisons, Judge Stephen Tumim, carried out an inspection of the prison in the British Virgin Islands in March 1989. He recommended that a site for a new prison should be selected without delay, and a new prison built. His report also covered training, management, staffing, physical security, welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners and other matters relevant to the safe custody and proper administration of all prisoners, whether remanded in custody or convicted. The various recommendations, including the building of a new prison, will be implemented as funds become available.

6.

Article 17

At the meeting to discuss the United Kingdom's second report on its dependent territories, it was asked what kind of personal data could be stored on computers and who could hold such information (CCPR/C/SR.857, para. 31). Computers are only now gradually coming into general use in the British Virgin Islands and no legislation has been passed with respect to their use or to data protection in general. However, the Government recognizes the need for some policy and legislation in this area and attention will be given to it in the near future.