Reference :
V-P-SO-E-00802
Date :
23/08/2016
Caption :
Baidoa, central prison. ICRC visit in detention program. An ICRC employee and his interpreter colleague talk to the prison director.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
Imagine walking into a detention center knowing you can’t leave for five years. The awful stench gives you a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Your dark cell is crowded and thrives with diseases. These are some of the difficult conditions detainess around the world have to contend with. The ICRC visits places of detention like prisons, police stations and security centres around the world to ensure those deprived of their freedoms are kept in humane conditions and are treated with dignity. In 2012, the ICRC started visits to detention centres in Somalia.
The authorities are the first port of call in every centre being visited. This initial talk allows the delegates to gain a first and comprehensive picture of the situation and to agree with the authorities on how the visit will take place and present its main goals.
With the approval from the detention authorities, ICRC teams tour the entire facility, including the holding cells, washrooms, kitchen and clinic.
Private interviews are conducted with detainees to give them an opportunity to delve deeper into concerns they might have. The group and private interviews give the team a good picture of what the situation inside the prison is like. Private interviews also allow ICRC delegates to identify particular individual cases with specific needs that could be addressed by the ICRC and the authorities.
Interviews are confidential and the details are not shared with the detention authorities. Except if the detainees agree to have specific issues raised and discussed with the prison authorities. ICRC work in places of detention is built on trust, between the ICRC and the detainees, and the ICRC and the authorities.
The fact that ICRC teams conduct regular visits to the same place develops and strengthens the relationship with the authorities. Work is carried out with them on mid and long-term solutions to improve the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4256x2832
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
