Date : 09/2002

Country/Region : AFGHANISTAN

Title : Afghanistan : cleaning up Shiberghan prison

Duration : 00:02:23

Director : POWELL, Janet

Cameraman : DOUILLIEZ, Caroline

Editor : unknown

Keyword : PLACE OF DETENTION; FOOD DISTRIBUTION; INTERVIEW; DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY; PERSON DEPRIVED OF THEIR LIBERTY; FOOD PROGRAMME

Person appearing :
CEPERO GARCIA, Francisco Javier (delegate, ICRC)

Confidentiality level : public

Publication restrictions : publication without restrictions

Copyright : CNN; ICRC

Production company : CNN

ICRC producer :
none

Description : Following the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan in the winter of 2001, there was widespread concern about the way captured fighters were being treated in detention. One of the most notorious prisons was Shibergan near Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. In November last year, over 3,500 Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters were incarcerated here in cells supposed to hold a quarter of that number. In April, 40% of the inmates were seriously malnourished. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) immediately set up a feeding centre to treat the most seriously underweight. They had to supplement the food rations for the whole prison population. It also dug a well, improved the kitchen facilities, and constructed a health clinic.
Today the inmates are no longer underweight but the situation is far from secure. ICRC delegates visit regularly to check that the food intended for the prisoners reaches them and to put pressure on the authorities to maintain humane conditions. Over 7,000 Red Cross messages were collected by delegates and taken to and from Shiberghan prison by hand, in the first six months of 2002.

Original language : English

English title : Afghanistan : cleaning up Shiberghan prison

Colour/B&W : colour

Original material/format : Betacam SP

Best material/format available : Betacam SP