11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Pol-e-Charkhi prison: Riots resulted in the death of 6 inmates and injuries to 44; many reported that security officials used excessive force; so far, there has not been a public investigation ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23289]

"In February 2006 inmates at Pol-e-Charkhi prison rioted for five days, resulting in the death of six inmates and injuries to 44, according to the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC); many reported that security personnel used excessive force in their response to the riot. There continued to be no public investigation."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Conditions in prisons are in most cases below minimum international standards; illegal detentions of individuals, particularly women and children ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22743]

"There are prisons in 34 provinces of Afghanistan administered by the Ministry of Justice. Prison conditions in most facilities remain below minimum international standards. There are reports of over-capacity in the country’s prisons including an urgent lack of accommodation for over 1,000 detainees in 112 provincial prisons, which is yet to be addressed. In January 2007, the central prison’s department announced that it had completed the past fiscal year with a large deficit and that most staff in the provinces had not been paid salaries in four months. The absence of a strong independent bar association and a state funded legal aid acts as a significant impediment to safeguarding the rights of accused persons and to providing the necessary legal representation to those unable to obtain legal assistance privately. The illegal detention of individuals, particularly women and children, continues to raise serious human rights concerns."

Document(s): Open document

20.04.2007 - Source: UK Home Office

Prison conditions remained poor during 2005 and 2006 ("Operational Guidance Note: Afghanistan") [ID 19968]

"Prison conditions remained poor during 2005 and 2006, and there were reportedly many other secret or informal detention centres in the country. Prisoners lived in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions in collective cells and were not sheltered adequately from severe winter conditions. Prisoners reportedly were beaten, tortured, or denied adequate food whilst infectious diseases were common among prisoners. A report by the United Nations independent expert on Human Rights dated 11 March 2005 noted that, despite some improvements, conditions at Pol-e Charkhi prison continued to be sub-standard including overcrowding, rudimentary medical facilities, dangerously limited medical supplies and inadequate sanitation. The conditions in Pol-e Charkhi were considered to be much better than those in other parts of the country. In Logar, the prison comprised a metal container buried in the ground and a cramped basement. Several prisoners were kept constantly shackled – a common practice throughout Afghanistan. The situation regarding prisons in Afghanistan remains serious. The Government, however, has committed to improve conditions, and a number of major prison projects are currently being carried out including two new prison facilities in Gardez and Mazar-e-Sharif, and a women’s facility and a juvenile reformatory in Kabul. Prison conditions in Afghanistan are severe and taking into account the levels of overcrowding, poor sanitation, prevalence of disease and absence of medical facilities, lack of food and incidence of torture, conditions in prisons and detention facilities in Afghanistan are likely to reach the Article 3 threshold. Where caseowners believe that an individual is likely to face imprisonment on return to the Afghanistan they should also consider whether the claimant’s actions means they fall to be excluded by virtue of Article 1F of the Refugee Convention. Where caseowners consider that this may be the case they should contact a senior caseworker for further guidance. Where individual claimants are able to demonstrate a real risk of imprisonment on return to Afghanistan and exclusion is not justified, a grant of Humanitarian Protection will be appropriate."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

5 days of rioting in Pol-e-Charkhi prison resulted in the death of 6 inmates and 44 injuries ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19503]

"In February inmates at Pol-e-Charkhi prison rioted for five days resulting in the death of six inmates and injuries to 44, according to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC); many reported that these were the result of excessive force on the part of Afghan Security Forces. There was no official investigation into the riot."

Document(s): Open document

30.07.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Changes in prison law ensure prisoners more rights and security ("New Hope for Afghan Prisoners") [#34597],  [ID 989]

Document(s): Open document

11.07.2005 - Source: BBC News

4 prisoners, allegedly Arab militants, escaped from US detention center in Bagram; US soldiers working in this facility were accused of number of abuses of prisoners ("Prisoners escape US Afghan base") [#33894],  [ID 990]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29542],  [ID 992]

"The Constitution prohibits such practices; however, there were reports of some abuses. For example, there were continued reports that some local police authorities in Herat and other locations routinely employed torture on detainees (see Section 1.a.). There was no followup to the 2002 incident in which Herat Governor Ismail Khan's security forces arrested journalist Mohammad Rafiq Shahir and reportedly beat him severely.
In March, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed that coalition forces operating in the country arbitrarily detained civilians and committed cruel, inhumane, and degrading acts against detainees.
Security forces reportedly used excessive force during their fight against Taliban and al-Qa'ida remnants, including looting, beating, and torturing of civilians. Violence and instability hampered relief and reconstruction efforts in different parts of the country and led to numerous human rights abuses.
Prison conditions remained poor, and there were reportedly many other secret or informal detention centers in the country (see Section 1.d.). Prisoners lived in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions in collective cells and were not sheltered adequately from severe winter conditions. Prisoners reportedly were beaten, tortured, or denied adequate food. The Justice Ministry's assumption of prison management from the Interior Ministry in March 2003 improved conditions marginally. The humanitarian NGO Emergency reported in January that infectious diseases were common among prisoners.
A number of regional leaders, particularly Ismail Khan in Herat and General Dostum in Sheberghan, maintained secret or unofficial prisons that most likely held political detainees (see Section 1.d.). In May, following a prison riot and hunger strike, most of the approximately 900 Taliban and Pakistani prisoners at Sheberghan Prison were moved to Pul-e-Charkhi Prison in Kabul. In September, President Karzai ordered from this group the release of 416 ex-combatants, mainly Taliban, as well as 433 Pakistanis.
According to the AIHRC, six prisoners died in prison during the year, two from illness, and four others from injuries received during fights.
Approximately 4,500 convicts were held in 32 government-run prisons across the country. There were 15 correctional centers for juveniles, and approximately 8 women's detention centers. Men and women were housed in separate facilities. Living conditions of all prisons did not meet international standards, and conditions in women's facilities were worse than in men's facilities. Children under 12 years were incarcerated with their mothers. Juveniles (under 18 years) were detained in juvenile correctional facilities; however, juveniles charged with murder were detained in adult facilities but were assigned to a separate area within the facilities. There were no pretrial detention facilities.
The Government permitted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit all prisons that the Government controlled, and the ICRC conducted such visits during the year; however, the ICRC alleged that it lacked full and transparent access to some prisoners. The AIHRC monitored prison conditions regularly during the year, and independently of the Ministry of Justice."

Document(s): Open document

11.2004 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

General prison conditions and existence of private prisons ("The political conditions, the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan; Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul, Afghanistan 20 March – 2 April 2004") [#27424],  [ID 991]

"The EU Special Representative mentioned that prisons exist both under the control of the NSD and of the Ministry of Justice. Additionally, there are private prisons that are controlled by warlords or by the local police on which the government has no influence.
The source mentioned that the new director of the NSD has acknowledged the bad conditions for people in custody and is keen to improve the conditions for people in prison.
The ICRC informed that the organization has access to the prisons of the central government and of the coalition in Afghanistan. The committee visits the Bagram prison, which is managed by the coalition forces, every second week. Between 900 (nine hundred) and 1,000 (one thousand) persons are held in custody in Sheberghan prison that is situated in the northern part of Afghanistan. After the Taliban surrendered in Kunduz in 2001 over 3,500 (three-thousand five-hundred) persons were arrested and transferred to the Sheberghan prison. Out of this group 900 (nine-hundred) persons are still being held in custody. Some of these people are Afghans from southern Afghanistan and others are from Pakistan. In the beginning of 2002 the situation in the compelled the ICRC to provide food for the prisoners, but the situation has improved since. One of the main questions for the prisoners is how long they will be imprisoned, as their situation has not been clarified. The committee mentioned that there are about 100 (one hundred) female prisoners in Afghanistan of which 70-80 are held in the Central Herat Prison.
The UNAMA stated that prisons in Herat are well organised and well maintained.
An international NGO explained that the conditions for imprisoned women have improved. They are overseeing 31 (thirty-one) women who are imprisoned in Kabul. The organization found that the conditions in the prisons continue to give rise to criticism. In Kabul, 521 (five-hundred and twenty one) men are inmates in a prison that was built for 200 (two-hundred) occupants.
The prisons represent an area that was described by the Italian ambassador as very problematic. The prison system does not receive enough support from the international community. Donors are not interested in the prison system and outside Kabul the prison system has to be built from scratch. It is the intention to demilitarise the prison system, which according to the source will demand considerable training of prison personnel.
The Minister of Justice explained that certain improvements have been carried out in Afghan prisons. Among other things, an effort is underway in order to provide satisfactory food for the prisoners. Complaints boxes have been introduced where the prisoners can submit complaints about anything of their concern and they can make suggestions for improvements. International organizations have access to the prisons. The Afghan media can write freely about prison conditions if there is anything to criticize.
The source mentioned that 450 (four hundred and fifty) judges and prosecutors are being trained in jurisprudence and that the reconstruction of premises for the courts is in progress. The Pul-e Charki prison in Kabul is being renovated and has been renamed Kabul Central Prison. (p. 39/40)"

Document(s): Open document

11.2004 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

The use of torture ("The political conditions, the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan; Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul, Afghanistan 20 March – 2 April 2004") [#27424],  [ID 993]

"The Co-operation Centre for Afghanistan (CCA) had not heard that the present security forces should have used torture and committed mass murders like Khidamat-i-Ittala’at-i- Dawlati (KHAD), but found that the security forces’ use of torture could not be excluded.
The CCA informed that it is generally known that the warlords use torture in the provinces.
The Lawyers Union of Afghanistan stated that law forbids torture, but in practice the situation is different. In the regions governed by warlords, it is common that people in custody are beaten up until they confess the crime of which they are being accused. The punishment depends on the crime and on the captive’s relationship with the commander.
The source was of the opinion that the police force’s use of torture in Kabul is less widespread because of the presence of journalists and western organisations, etc., but even there the police can behave roughly.
An international NGO stated that torture does take place in the police stations, but not in the prisons. Persons arrested by the police can expect to be beaten up until they confess to whatever they are being accused of. Moreover, people who are arrested on suspicion of infringing the law can often be detained for more than a week in the police station, even though the law prescribes that one should go before a judge within 24 hours. (p. 40)"

Document(s): Open document

21.09.2004 - Source: UN General Assembly

UN Independent Expert shows extreme concern over detention conditions ("Report of the independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan A/59/370") [#28465],  [ID 994]

"18 Detention facilities and due process
58. The independent expert is extremely concerned with the current situation of detentions, both formal and informal, within Afghanistan. Detention by non-State actors is common in Afghanistan, and is a gross violation of human rights and a direct affront to the legitimacy of the State. Formal detentions are only acceptable where there is a basic respect for due process, as well as least minimally acceptable conditions of internment. The independent expert calls attention to the issue of detentions because the practice tests the commitment of the State to respecting basic rule of law protections, and because this is an area where significant reform is possible. The independent expert is especially concerned with the conditions of detention in national prisons in Kabul and the provinces, women’s prisons, secret national detention facilities, informal prisons used by warlords and local commanders, and the special case of prisoners transferred from Shiberghan to Pol-e Charkhi (see para. 65 below).
General prison conditions
59. The inability of national prisons to provide those detained with conditions that meet minimal international standards is shocking. The independent expert visited the Pol-e Charkhi prison outside of Kabul, and found overcrowding and unhealthy conditions. The independent expert has heard reports that jails in the countryside are often in an appalling state, with crumbling walls, no water and limited access to nutritious food. Prisoners are seldom allowed out of their cells, in the best of cases for between less than one hour to three hours a day. Medical facilities are almost non-existent. Bribery is rampant and physical abuse is routine. It should be noted that the Government of Italy offered to build a prison facility, but the Ministry of Justice has so far (six months) not identified an available parcel of land. The independent expert brought this matter to the attention of President Karzai, who indicated that he would take corrective measures."

Document(s): Open document

21.09.2004 - Source: UN General Assembly

Detention without charges and prolonged pre-trial detention ("Report of the independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan A/59/370") [#28465],  [ID 995]

"60. Individuals held in Government-controlled prisons are frequently held for months without being charged. Persons who are charged are held for extended periods of time without being tried. In some cases, pre-trial detentions exceed the sentence for the alleged crimes. These individuals, who may well be innocent of any crime, are held in detention with hardened criminals. In addition, children and juveniles are commonly held in the same cells as violent adult criminals. Corruption throughout the system is rampant. The independent expert has notified the Attorney- General who has acknowledged the existence of such practices, though specifying that he knew of only a limited number of cases. One of the problems stems from the Government’s failure to establish clear lines of responsibility. The Ministry of Justice has nominal, but effectively no control over prisons. The Attorney-General does not feel that he can compel persons detained by the police and intelligence services to be turned over to his authority. No one seems to have or want to exercise authority in asking the courts to review extended pre-trial detentions."

Document(s): Open document

15.07.2004 - Source: Standard

Self-proclaimed "Anti-Terror-Fighters" arrested; they illegally detained at least 8 persons ("ISAF unterstützte selbst ernannte "Anti-Terror-Kämpfer"") [#24049],  [ID 997]

Document(s): Open document

07.07.2004 - Source: BBC News

3 US citizens have been arrested in Kabul for allegedly holding Afghans in a private prison ("Three Americans arrested in Kabul") [#23881],  [ID 996]

Document(s): Open document

23.06.2004 - Source: Guardian

Detainees held in Afghanistan by American troops have been routinely tortured and humiliated as part of the interrogation process ("Afghan detainees routinely tortured and humiliated by US troops") [#23477],  [ID 998]

Document(s): Open document

18.06.2004 - Source: BBC News

US contractor who worked for the CIA has been arrested and charged over the death of a prisoner last year ("American faces Afghan death trial") [#23435],  [ID 999]

Document(s): Open document

14.06.2004 - Source: BBC News

The US military is altering procedures at its detention centres in Afghanistan after a review of the country's prisons ("US alters Afghan jail procedures") [#23339],  [ID 1000]

Document(s): Open document

05.05.2004 - Source: BBC News

After a riot in Sheberghan prison another 350 suspected Taleban prisoners have been moved from a notorious jail in northern Afghanistan to Kabul ("More men moved from Afghan jail") [#22032],  [ID 1001]

"About 900 prisoners, half of whom are reported to be Pakistani nationals, staged a riot in Sheberghan prison last week, in protest at conditions.
They have been held without trial since the fall of the Taleban in late 2001, and many are reported to be suffering from tuberculosis.
[...]
President Hamid Karzai's government has sent a team of officials to see conditions for themselves inside Sheberghan.
During last week's riot, the prisoners set fire to part of the jail."

Document(s): Open document

11.12.2003 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Baghlan Province: insufficient food and poor living conditions in Pol-e Khomri jail, reported ("Profile of a provincial jail") [#18158],  [ID 1002]

Document(s): Open document

01.10.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Conditions in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi prison improved after March 2003/ around half of the 70 people currently imprisoned in Pul-e-Charkhi had not been convicted of any offence ("Barbaric Jail “Overhauled”") [#16507],  [ID 1003]

Document(s): Open document

20.07.2003 - Source: EurasiaNet

Torture and abuse of prisoners, who mostly have no access to lawyers or information on their rights, reported ("Rights groups criticize torture, abuse in prisons") [#14881],  [ID 1004]

Document(s): Open document

08.07.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Report on prison system (legacy of prisons, administration of prisons, prisoner profile, obstacles to a human rights based prison system, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, arbitrary detention) ("Afghanistan: Crumbling prison system desperately in need of repair") [#14330],  [ID 1005]

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Shebergan prison: 66 Prisoners of War released ("Taleban Arrests") [#13570],  [ID 1006]

Document(s): Open document

26.05.2003 - Source: BBC News

Sheberghan: 66 Pakistani prisoners who were accused of fighting alongside the former Taleban regime and al-Qaeda against American-led forces have been released ("Afghans free Pakistan prisoners") [#13122],  [ID 1007]

Document(s): Open document

07.03.2003 - Source: Guardian

2 prisoners who died while being held for interrogation at the US military base in Afghanistan had reportedly been beaten ("Afghan prisoners beaten to death at US military interrogation base") [#11290],  [ID 1008]

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2003 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Malnutrition and disease reported ("Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world E/CN.4/2003/39") [#10757],  [ID 1009]

"20. The Special Rapporteur’s earlier reports had drawn attention to the plight of prisoners. Overcrowding, malnutrition and disease were reported in particular in Shebergan prison, where there were over 3,000 prisoners in November 2001. The Special Rapporteur’s inquiries in October 2002 indicated that the number was now to around 1,200. There are also reports of persons being detained in other jails and places of detention for a prolonged period since the capacity to investigate allegations against them and have their cases disposed of through a judicial process has yet to be established. Appointments to the Judicial Commission were announced in December 2002. The Special Rapporteur urges the Commission to take expeditious steps to ensure that the cases of those at present suffering prolonged detention are speedily dealt with. The release of batches of prisoners would itself contribute to alleviating prison conditions. In this context, the issuance of further presidential decrees, a number of which have previously resulted in releases, is recommended."

Document(s): Open document
02457afgh.pdf

01.2003 - Source: Overseas Development Institute

Prison service in the main urban centres is basic, and non-existent in many districts and some provincial centres ("Afghanistan’s political and constitutional development (Authors: Chris Johnson, William Maley, Alexander Thier and Ali Wardak)") [#11961],  [ID 1010]

"The prison service in the main urban centres is basic, and non-existent in many districts and some provincial centres. The prison service in Kabul is small, and closely controlled by the Ministry of Interior. Currently, there are an estimated 600 prisoners in Kabul prison. Conditions are bad, particularly in provincial gaols, such as those in Sheberghan and Herat. At the time of writing there were still about 3,000 political prisoners (mainly former Taliban soldiers) in Sheberghan. These prisoners are treated in inhumane ways, and many of them suffer from illnesses related to malnutrition and overcrowding. Dozens have died since their surrender to Northern Alliance forces in November 2001. Meaningful corrective regimes or rehabilitative programmes do not exist. Although a juvenile court and correctional institution are formally functioning in Kabul, they have neither the facilities nor the professional personnel to deal with the problems they encounter."

Document(s): Open document

22.11.2002 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Kabul: release of 20 female prisoners, imprisoned for adultery and elopement, as part of the traditional Ramadan pardon ("Anger at Women Prisoner Amnesty") [#9740],  [ID 1011]

Document(s): Open document

20.09.2002 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

IWPR: Children kept in police prison since closure of youth detention centre ("Child Offenders Held in Police Cell") [#8640],  [ID 1012]

"[...] Around 30 child prisoners are now being held at the police headquarters while the juvenile correctional facility, now used as a courthouse, looks for a new home.

The former detention centre - or Darel Tadeeb, an Arabic phrase meaning House of Training – provided its young inmates with educational and professional training, such as carpentry, carpet weaving and tailoring.

The detainees, administered by a 90-strong staff, were also encouraged to take part in sports such as volleyball and wrestling, and were given adequate food and medical attention.

President Karzai has called for an alternative site for the Darel Tadeeb, but none has been found, leaving the wayward children languishing in police cells.

All the current crop of inmates are boys – Karzai released all the girls in a good-will gesture on Independence Day last month – and most of them have committed serious offenders.

“Listening to music, having hairstyles and wearing colorful clothes are no longer considered to be crimes in this country,” Kabul police chief Abdul Baseer Salangi told IWPR.

“The only children arrested now are those who commit crimes such as murder, robbery, causing traffic incidents or running away from home.
[...]
The children are currently kept in a one-story building, guarded by two soldiers. When IWPR visited, all 31 inmates lay in the centre of a room with a barred door. There was just one small window and five beds covered in dirty blankets.

The detainees had a number of complaints about their treatment. “We are not given food and medicine. Our room is bad and we have only one hour a day for exercise outside,” said one, who preferred not to be identified.

Samad, from Kapeesa province just east of Kabul, was locked up for murder. “I have been in this prison for six months. Nobody comes to ask about me. The prisoners who do not have visitors are facing lots of problems, as the police give us nothing,” he said.
[...]
Abdul Rasheed, another worried parent, told IWPR, “My child has been in the prison for two months. I have complained about the problems many times, but nothing has yet been done about it.”

However, police chief Salangi is quick to deny the allegations. “We are providing food, medicine and entertainment for these youngsters while they are staying here - and we are also trying to be very nice to them,” he said."

Document(s): Open document

13.08.2002 - Source: UN General Assembly

Conditions in Sherberghan prison: Overcrowding, malnutrition and disease were reported ("Situation of human rights in Afghanistan A/57/309") [#9762],  [ID 1013]

"Attention was drawn to the plight of prisoners in the Special Rapporteur's reports to the General Assembly in November 2001 and to the Commission on Human Rights in March 2002. Overcrowding, malnutrition and disease were reported in particular in Sheberghan prison, which housed over 3,000 prisoners in November. Since prevailing conditions clearly did not respect minimum standards of humane treatment, these concerns were communicated to the authorities and to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
ICRC started visiting places of detention under the Interim Administration and such visits are continuing. It had to intervene several times with respect to food assistance and improving the water supply, sanitation, hygiene, clothing and the like. A significant intervention was the establishment of a therapeutic feeding centre within Sheberghan prison, together with general food distribution.
In addition to such emergency action, prisoners have been released in batches as a means of alleviating prison conditions. Such releases were accelerated in May and by the end of that month the numbers in Sheberghan had been substantially reduced. As at 30 May about 1,100 prisoners remained.
Concerns have been expressed regarding continued detention of prisoners without trial, since the adjudication machinery does not yet function effectively.
There is some concern about reports of women being detained for violating social codes. These reports need to be investigated by the Transitional Administration and also by the United Nations monitoring mechanisms, and prompt corrective action must be taken."

Document(s): Open document
02385afgh.pdf

17.06.2002 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

IWPR: ICRC respresentative on detention conditions in Sherberghan prison ("Call for Release of Taleban Prisoners") [#30462],  [ID 1014]

"Moret added that most of the prisoners of war are held at the central jail of Shiberghan, a northern province. But there are also men detained in other cities such as Herat, Khost, and Kandahar.
"Six weeks back, we started an emergency feeding programme for the Shiberghan detainees because the lives of some of them were in danger," said Moret. He added that the initiative stopped last week because conditions had apparently improved.
But rising levels of lawlessness in parts of the north also give rise for concern about the jailed men.
"The security condition in Mazar-e-Sharif has worsened so much that UN and other NGOs plan to leave the region," said Manual D-Almenda, a UN spokesman in Kabul.
"If they do leave the region conditions for the detainee will deteriorate. Because most of them are fed and clothed by the ICRC along with their families."
Moret said the ICRC did not have much information about what conditions the men were being held in, nor of the men who had been released in Gardez and Khost."

Document(s): Open document

28.01.2002 - Source: Physicians for Human Rights

Physicians for Human Rights: Conditions at Shebarghan in grave violation of international standards ("A Report on Conditions at Shebarghan Prison, Northern Afghanistan") [#8308],  [ID 1015]

"On the basis of direct observation, contact with the prisoners, and interviews prior to and subsequent to this inspection, Physicians for Human Rights reports that conditions at Shebarghan are in grave violation of international standards for those held in detention or as prisoners of war. The facilities are entirely inadequate for the care of the number of people now held there, the food is insufficient in quantity and nutrition, the water supply unclean, sanitation virtually absent, clothing meager, and barred walls open to the elements expose the inhabitants to winter conditions. Disease is rampant. Each cell block contained a series of 18 rooms on one side of a central concrete floored corridor that ran the length of the structure. Each cell was built for 10-15 men, according to General Jarobak, the commander of the facility who escorted the PHR team in the prison, but some now held up to 80-110 men.
Capacity to provide medical care is hampered by insufficient supplies and primitive facilities. Dysentery and yellow jaundice, probably due to Hepatitis A, are epidemic. When PHR asked what the death rate was, General Jarobak said that he did not know numbers but that "many, many, many prisoners" had already died, mainly from dysentery, some from pneumonia.
The prison administration is aware that the life supports provided are not only inadequate but alarmingly deficient. The commanding officer has submitted requests for further assistance and additional resources to the international community but reports that the response has been minimal.
PHR found no indication that the prisoners are being deliberately abused, tortured, or psychologically tormented, although there were many prisoners whom they did not observe, and they were not able to conduct in-depth interviews with detainees in private."

Document(s): Open document