This article examines the legal mechanisms for preventing torture in pre-trial detention facilities, focusing on both international and national standards for protecting the rights of suspects. The study analyzes the legal framework established by the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Special attention is paid to landmark cases such as Garumov v. Ukraine and Beketov v. Ukraine, which highlight systemic issues related to inhuman and degrading treatment in Ukrainian detention centers. Additionally, the ruling in Cyprus v. Turkey is examined as a precedent for state responsibility in ensuring proper detention conditions and effective investigations of ill-treatment.

The research also incorporates recommendations from the United Nations Committee Against Torture and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. These bodies have repeatedly expressed concern over the conditions of detention in Ukraine, the lack of independent investigative mechanisms for torture complaints, and limited access to legal and medical assistance for detainees. Their reports emphasize the urgent need for legal and institutional reforms to bring Ukraine’s human rights practices in line with international standards.

The article identifies several key issues preventing effective prevention and prosecution of torture in detention facilities. These include overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, insufficient judicial oversight, and inadequate state response to allegations of torture. One of the most pressing concerns is the absence of an independent body responsible for investigating complaints against law enforcement officers, which leads to a culture of impunity. Furthermore, the lack of systematic monitoring and access to independent medical examinations exacerbates the vulnerability of detainees.

To address these challenges, the article proposes several urgent measures: the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism for torture complaints, improvement of detention conditions, ensuring immediate access to legal and medical assistance, strengthening accountability for law enforcement officers involved in ill-treatment, and expanding legal education programs on human rights protection. Implementing these measures would significantly enhance Ukraine’s compliance with international human rights standards and reduce the occurrence of torture in pre-trial detention facilities.

Key words: torture, pre-trial detention, suspect rights, European Court of Human Rights, international standards, human rights mechanisms.

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