![]() ![]() Relevant international organizations had a constructive role to play in this within their respective mandates. They agreed that demand-driven technical cooperation based on genuine dialogue could support State efforts in improving practices and capacities. In the ensuing debate, speakers emphasised that technical cooperation and capacity building were an essential part of the work of the Council in promoting and protecting human rights, and welcomed the panel discussion. Prison reform was as much about the human rights of individual prisoners as it was about public safety and public health, he added. The programmes had taught skills to women prisoners that they could apply in the construction industry, including building, metal work and carpentry. For instance, it supported prison-based social reintegration programmes in Bolivia. Sven Pfeiffer, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Justice Section, Division for Operations, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, speaking via video message, underlined the importance of mainstreaming a gender perspective to combat discrimination and ensure that no one was left behind. A mere 6 per cent or less of the global prison population had benefited from release mechanisms. ![]() Such regimes put in place to protect from an infection would have long-lasting and indeed catastrophic consequences on the mental health of prisoners and prison staff. They were isolated, separated, and many were effectively in solitary confinement. Olivia Rope, Director of Policy and International Advocacy, Penal Reform International, speaking via video message, stated that for the 11 million people in prison, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to represent a threat to their health and lives. The Tunisian approach to dealing with prisoners’ rights in the time of COVID-19 had been successful, supported by a strong legal framework. ![]() Tunisia had been active in the enactment of United Nations resolution 2532 on 1 July 2020 that allowed the international community to enable a humanitarian truce. Sabri Bachtobji, Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, underlined the devastating effects of COVID-19 across the globe, especially the consequences to already marginalised communities. In terms of rehabilitation, Thailand strove for meaningful rehabilitation, through voluntary work and vocational training, which helped prisoners to reintegrate into society. There would be more than 60,000 square metres added for dormitory units. The Government was also working on expanding prison space. Wisit Wisitsora-at, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice of Thailand, speaking via video, said the standard of health care service in Thai prisons was now equivalent to the services available outside prisons. Sek Wannamethee, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to translate existing international standards into practice. Only in this way could national authorities and partners devise and implement programmes that effectively addressed root causes and human rights gaps. Georgette Gagnon, Director of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noting the specific needs of women deprived of their liberty, and the significant increase in their numbers, said there was a clear need for a much deeper understanding of why women were increasingly imprisoned their pathways to offending the barriers they may face in accessing justice and their rights as suspects, defendants and convicted prisoners. The Council also started an interactive dialogue on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' report on the independence of the justice system and access to justice in Venezuela. The Human Rights Council this morning held its annual panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity building, under the theme of upholding the human rights of prisoners, including women prisoners and offenders : enhancing technical cooperation and capacity building in the implementation of the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |