CAT/C/34/D/171/2000 Page 10 provided by the complainant about the criminal complaint which he filed with the public prosecutor. The Committee considers that the insurmountable procedural impediments faced by the complainant as a result of the inaction of the competent authorities rendered the application of a remedy that may bring effective relief to the complainant highly unlikely. In the absence of pertinent information from the State party, the Committee concludes that in any event, domestic proceedings, if any, have been unreasonably prolonged. With reference to article 22, paragraph 4, of the Convention and rule 107 of the Committee’s rules of procedure the Committee finds no other obstacle to the admissibility of the complaint. Accordingly, it declares the complaint admissible and proceeds to its examination on the merits. Consideration on the merits 7.1 The complainant alleges violations by the State party of article 2, paragraph 1 in connection with article 1, and of article 16, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the complainant’s description of the treatment to which he was subjected during his detention, which can be characterised as severe pain or suffering intentionally inflicted by public officials in the context of the investigation of a crime, as well as his sister’s statement and medical report. It also notes the State party’s failure to adequately address this claim and respond to the complainant’s allegations. In the circumstances, the Committee concludes that due weight must be given to the complainant’s allegations and that the facts, as submitted, constitute torture within the meaning of article 1 of the Convention. 7.2 Concerning the alleged violation of articles 12 and 13 of the Convention, the Committee notes that the Public Prosecutor did not request the judge to initiate a preliminary investigation until 34 months after filing the criminal complaint, and that no further action was taken by the State party to investigate the complainant’s allegations after the criminal complaint was filed on 7 November 1996. The State party has not contested this claim. The Committee also notes that the failure to inform the complainant of the results of any investigation effectively prevented him from pursuing a “private prosecution” of his case before a judge. In these circumstances, the Committee considers that the State party has failed to comply with its obligation, under article 12 of the Convention, to carry out a prompt and impartial investigation