and recommended that the Public Prosecutor-General issue a warning to the chief of the
Special Investigation Headquarters and conduct an education session to prosecutors on
principles of the Constitution and relevant regulations which should be complied with
when they summon and interrogate suspects, including night-time questioning.
3) On-site Survey of Police Lockup Facilities
Pursuant to Article 24 of the National Human Rights Commission Act (on-site survey of
facilities), the Commission visited lockup facilities located inside 18 police stations
nationwide to inspect human rights conditions in
the amenities provided in the lockup facilities and
treatment of inmates to come up with improvement
measures. It made thorough preparation in advance
by clarifying investigative scope based on pattern
analysis of existing complaint cases and attempted
to minimize a grey area by selecting regions from
which
few
complaints
originated.
The
investigation was designed to identify fundamental
causes of complaints, prevent them in advance,
and seek effective solutions by examining the
implementation of past recommendations in the
field. The investigation group was consisted of diverse experts from academia and
judiciary communities, as well as professional investigators. The on-site investigation was
an opportunity not only to review documents, but also to conduct face-to-face interviews
with staffs and inmates to gather their opinions for improvement. The Commission also
held a meeting with the police station staff and recommended that they should improve
inmate treatment, facilities and environment in the detention facilities.
Chapter 3. Investigations and Remedies: Civil Rights Violations
75