PDRC notifies publication of 5 inspection reports

Manama

The Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC) held a press conference yesterday, announcing the publication of five inspection reports of visits carried out by the members of the Commission to the four Governorate Police Directorates and to the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Evidence Department in December 2014.

PDRC Chairman Nawaf Al Moawda stated the PDRC Commissioners approved the reports in a meeting held recently.

He added that three other reports on visits to the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre for Women, the Women’s Detention Centre and the Juveniles Care Centre will be announced later after the completion of a final review of the reports and follow-up with the competent authorities.

The condition of centres, living standards and health conditions of the detainees were looked into. 

AI Moawda dealt in detail with the methodology taken by the Commission in its unannounced inspection visits, which took place on December 24, 25 last year.

The visits were conducted in two stages. According to the decision of the Board of Commissioners, the members were divided into five teams to conduct simultaneous visits to the selected centres.

On the first day, a randomly selected sample of detainees who have been transferred from the Directorate General of Police and CID after the end of their detention (48-hour), have been interviewed.

The PDRC teams were keen to have a diverse sample so that they represent different categories.

 The next day the selected centres were visited by the PDRC teams for inspection and to collect evidence and records to review the followed administrative procedures. Direct interviews were conducted with employees and senior staff to evaluate its compliance with the principles and criteria.

The Chairman of PDRC also spoke about the most important observations raised by PDRC teams. The observations relate to three main principles: humane treatment and place conditions, rights and guarantees, and health care. Though the centres differed from one another, PDRC teams recorded that some observations were repeated.

The recommendations in the reports were accepted by the ministry and a committee was formed to develop a mechanism for their implementation.