28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

An amnesty for prison inmates older than 70 was announced but no evidence of releases were received ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24124]

"The Minister of Information announced on 17 May that Nigeria had granted an amnesty to all prisoners over 70 and to those 60 or older who had been on death row for 10 years or more. According to the minister, they were to be released before the inauguration of the new President on 29 May. However, the government did not make public whether this had happened, and no reports of releases were received."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

No actions on the implementation of prison reform program were reported ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24178]

"On 10 January, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Prisons Reform and Rehabilitation made public that N7.8 billion (approximately US$ 67 million) had been reserved for the first phase of a prison reform program. However, no action to implement the program was reported during the year."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Federal government did not follow recommendation of the Presidential Committee to free inmates ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24179]

"In May the Presidential Committee published a list of 552 inmates recommended for release. They included detainees who had spent over 10 years awaiting trial or whose case files had been lost; inmates with life-threatening diseases; inmates older than 60; and inmates who had spent more than 10 years on death row. The federal government did not follow this recommendation, but announced the release of all inmates older than 70. However, no such releases were reported."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Prison conditions lead to riots with at least 20 inmates dead ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24180]

"Long delays in the justice system, appalling conditions and severe overcrowding contributed to growing despair and frustration amongst inmates. There were riots in at least three prisons – Kuje, Kano central and Agodi – in which at least 20 inmates died and many were injured."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Prison and detention conditions remain harsh and life threatening ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22787]

"Prison and detention conditions remained harsh and life threatening. Most of the 227 prisons were built 70 to 80 years ago and lacked basic facilities. Lack of potable water, inadequate sewage facilities, and severe overcrowding resulted in dangerous and unsanitary conditions. With an estimated population of 45,000, some prisons held 200 to 300 percent more persons than their designed capacity. The government acknowledged overcrowding as the main cause of the harsh conditions common in the prison system. Excessively long pretrial detention contributed to the overcrowding."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture: Prison conditions deplorable ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22788]

"In March the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture reported that prison conditions were deplorable, that those awaiting trial suffered more than those already convicted due to lack of funding for their care, and that inadequate medical treatment allowed many prisoners to die of treatable illnesses."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

AI reports of appalling prison conditions and inmates incarcerated without trial ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22789]

"Following a July visit to 10 prisons in the states of Enugu, Kano, Lagos, and the FCT, AI issued a report citing appalling prison conditions, noting that many prisoners were considered "forgotten inmates" because they had been incarcerated for years without trial."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Harsh food and health situations in prisons ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22790]

"Disease was pervasive in the cramped, poorly ventilated facilities [prison - Anm. Accord], and chronic shortages of medical supplies were reported. HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis were of particular concern within the prison population, and infections were exacerbated by substandard living conditions. Only those with money or whose relatives brought food regularly had sufficient food; petty corruption among prison officials made it difficult for money provided for food to reach prisoners. Poor inmates often relied on handouts from others to survive. Beds or mattresses were not provided to many inmates, forcing them to sleep on concrete floors, often without a blanket. Prison officials, police, and security forces often denied inmates food and medical treatment as a form of punishment or to extort money from them. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continued to provide health and hygiene items to prisoners during the year."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Harsh conditions and denial of medical treatment contributed to deaths of prisoners ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22791]

"Harsh conditions and denial of proper medical treatment contributed to the deaths of numerous prisoners. For example, on September 8, inadequate medical attention allegedly contributed to the death of Olawale Daniel, an inmate at the Agodi Federal Prison in Ibadan. His death sparked a riot between inmates and guards on September 11, which resulted in the deaths of 11 prisoners and the injury of an estimated 60 others, including four staff members."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

According to plans from 2006 government wanted to grant amnesty to 25000 prisoners; still no evidence that inmates were released ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23084]

"Despite the government's announcement in January 2006 that it planned to relieve prison overcrowding by granting amnesty to 25,000 of the country's 45,000 prisoners, little progress was made on implementing this plan. However, the government often extended amnesties to those whose pretrial detention period exceeded the maximum sentence they would have received if convicted. In November 2006 then-president Obasanjo ordered an audit of the cases of all prisoners awaiting trial with an announced goal of releasing those who had been detained for long periods of time, those in ill health, or those over age 60, but there was no evidence that the audits took place. In May the government announced that it would free all prisoners over age 70 and all those over 60 who had been on death row for more than a decade; however, there was no evidence that any inmates were released."

Document(s): Open document

26.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Report on prison conditions and prisoner´s rights ("Prisoners' rights systematically flouted [AFR 44/001/2008]") [ID 23062]

Document(s): Open document

13.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Statement on prison conditions (overcrowding, cases of torture, long pre-trial confinement, debatable penal procedure) ("Urgent justice reforms needed to protect rights of inmates -- a statement to the Stakeholders' Summit on Magistracy and Justice Sector Reform in Lagos State [AFR 44/026/2007]") [ID 21793]

Document(s): Open document

12.09.2007 - Source: BBC News

8 inmates killed and at least 18 wounded after hundreds of prisoners tried to break out of a jail; trigger was a protest against poor medical services ("Eight die in Nigeria 'jail-break'") [ID 21498]

Document(s): Open document

17.08.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

According to human rights groups and UN officials about 60 percent of inmates in Nigerian prisons await trial, often for years, in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions ("Tens of thousands languishing in prison awaiting trial") [ID 21149]

Document(s): Open document

15.08.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International delegation that visited 10 prisons in the states of Enugu, Kano, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory reports "appalling" prison conditions and protracted delays in the justice system ("Amnesty International delegates say prison conditions 'appalling' [AFR 44/019/2007]") [ID 22097]

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Prisons overcrowded; in 2006 government agreed to speed up trials and/or release up to 25,000 inmates ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20568]

"Nigeria’s prisons are overcrowded, unhealthy, and life-threatening. In January 2006, the government agreed to speed up the trial of and/or unconditionally release up to 25,000 inmates out of an estimated total prison population of 45,000. Amnesty International reported that the effort was aimed at reducing prison overcrowding and improving access to fair trials."

Document(s): Open document

12.03.2007 - Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Conditions of detention in police cells are appalling ("Special Rapporteur on Torture Concludes Visit to Nigeria [HR/07/35]") [ID 20841]

"The conditions of detention in police cells visited by the Special Rapporteur were appalling. Detainees are held in unsanitary overcrowded cells, forced to sleep on the concrete floor, minimum food and water supply. In some police stations women, children, and adults were held together in extremely overcrowded conditions. Medical care is non-existent and seriously ill detainees are left to languish until they die. In the opinion of the Special Rapporteur, this demonstrates a total disrespect for human life and dignity. The Special Rapporteur met at least three detainees with life-threatening injuries, who would die without prompt medical attention. All the prisons visited by the Special Rapporteur are characterized by severe overcrowding, consisting of an inmate population which is typically double or triple the actual capacity of the facility. While Port Harcourt Prison is designed for 800 detainees, a total of 2,420 are presently held. The vast majority of the prison population (in Port Harcourt 2,217) is held awaiting-trial (in pre-trial detention) or held without charge for lengthy periods, as long as ten years. They are subject to even more severe conditions than those of convicts: are held in overcrowded cells, lacking appropriate hygiene facilities, with insufficient places to sleep, inadequate and/or insufficient food, water, and medical care, let alone any opportunities for educational, leisure, or vocational training. Children on remand are often held with adult males. However, female prisoners are provided with considerably better facilities."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Prison conditions remained harsh and life threatening ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19502]

"Prison and detention conditions remained harsh and life threatening. Most prisons were built 70 to 80 years ago and lacked basic facilities. Lack of potable water, inadequate sewage facilities, and severe overcrowding resulted in unhealthy and dangerous sanitary conditions. Some prisons held 200 to 300 percent more persons than their designed capacity. The government acknowledged overcrowding as the main cause of the harsh conditions common in the prison system. Excessively long pretrial detention contributed to the overcrowding (see section 1.d.). A working group assigned by the attorney general to investigate prison conditions in the country released its report in March 2005. The group found that 64 percent of inmates were detainees awaiting trial, and only 25 percent of those detainees had legal representation. Nearly two-thirds of the country's prisons were more than 50 years old. All of the prisons were built of mud brick, and their sewers, food, health care, education, and recreational facilities were well below standard. In June President Obasanjo appointed Olusola Adigun Ogundipe comptroller general of prisons. Although Ogundipe pledged to introduce reforms, improvements in prison conditions did not materialize by year's end. The government continued interagency discussions on how to reduce prison overcrowding."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Only prison inmates with money had sufficient food; disease was pervasive, HIV/AIDS was of particular concern ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19599]

"Disease was pervasive in the cramped, poorly ventilated facilities, and chronic shortages of medical supplies were reported. HIV/AIDS was of particular concern within the prison population, and pre-existing infections were exacerbated by the substandard living conditions imposed on inmates. Prison inmates were allowed outside their cells for recreation or exercise only irregularly, and many inmates had to provide their own food. Only those with money or whose relatives brought food regularly had sufficient food; petty corruption among prison officials made it difficult for money provided for food to reach prisoners. Poor inmates often relied on handouts from others to survive. Beds or mattresses were not provided to many inmates, forcing them to sleep on concrete floors, often without a blanket. Prison officials, police, and security forces often denied inmates food and medical treatment as a form of punishment or to extort money from them. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continued to provide health and hygiene items to prisoners during the year."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Harsh conditions and denial of medical treatment contributed to deaths of prisoners; usually they were buried without notifying their families ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19600]

"Harsh conditions and denial of proper medical treatment contributed to the deaths of numerous prisoners. According to the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), dead inmates were promptly buried on the prison compounds, usually without notifying their families. A nationwide estimate of the number of inmates who died in the country's prisons was difficult to obtain because of poor record-keeping by prison officials."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government allowed NGOs regular access to prisons ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19602]

"The government allowed international and domestic NGOs, including PRAWA and the ICRC, regular access to prisons. PRAWA and the ICRC published newsletters on their work. The government admitted that there were problems with its incarceration and rehabilitation programs and worked with groups such as these to address those problems."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Lengthy pretrial detention remains a serious problem ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19654]

"Lengthy pretrial detention remained a serious problem. Serious backlogs, endemic corruption, and undue political influence continued to hamper the judicial system (see section 1.e.). In March 2005 a working group assigned by the attorney general to investigate prison conditions in the country found that 64 percent of inmates were detainees awaiting trial. Multiple adjournments in some cases led to serious delays. Police cited their inability to securely transport detainees to trial on their trial dates as one reason why so many were denied a trial. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported that some detainees were held because their case files had been lost. Some state governments released inmates detained for significant periods of time without trial. Although detainees had the right to submit complaints to the NHRC, the commission had no power to respond. Detainees could also complain to the courts, but they often lacked the means of communicating with the court. Even detainees with legal representation often waited for years to gain access to the courts."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Little progress was made on the government's plan to relieve prison overcrowding by granting amnesty to 25,000 prisoners ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19655]

"Despite the federal government's announcement in early January that it planned to relieve prison overcrowding by granting amnesty to 25,000 of the country's 45,000 prisoners, little progress was made on implementing this plan during the year. On November 30, President Obasanjo again ordered an audit of the cases of all prisoners awaiting trial with an announced goal of releasing those who had been detained for long periods of time, those in ill health, or those over 60. In August a judge granted 22 prisoners in Adamawa State amnesty for good behavior."

Document(s): Open document

09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Prisons are overcrowded and unhealthy ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18265]

"Nigeria's prisons are overcrowded, unhealthy, and life-threatening. Nevertheless, the government has allowed international organizations to visit detention facilities, and some improvements have been made."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Prisons overcrowded; inmates often have to wait 10 years for trial ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 18307]

"Prison conditions across Nigeria remain abysmal. Most inmates do not come to trial for 10 years on average, and police evidence is often poor or fabricated. Policemen are frequently open to hire for a range of noble and ignoble activities, including political skullduggery and criminal gang dealings. Consequently, arrests are often arbitrary and financially motivated, and judicial redress, much less appeals, can often take years unless the individual has powerful political connections. In response to these concerns and to overcrowding in the prisons, the Obasanjo administration announced in January 2006 that it would release 25,000 prisoners, roughly half the entire prison population, who had already served longer terms than they would have received through sentencing had they been brought to trial, or who were too old or sick to be public security concerns.15 Amnesty International hailed the move as an important step forward, but the structural problems in the justice system remain largely unaddressed."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Prison and detention conditions harsh and life threatening ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17063]

"Prison and detention conditions remained harsh and life threatening. Most prisons were built 70 to 80 years ago and lacked basic facilities. Lack of potable water, inadequate sewage facilities, and severe overcrowding resulted in unhealthy and dangerous sanitary conditions. Some prisons held 200 to 300 percent more persons than their designed capacity. The government acknowledged overcrowding as the main cause of the harsh conditions common in the prison system. Excessively long pretrial detention contributed to the overcrowding. A working group assigned by the attorney general to investigate prison conditions in the country released its report in March. The group found that 64 percent of inmates were detainees awaiting trial, and only 25 percent of those detainees had legal representation. Nearly two-thirds of the country's prisons were over 50 years old. All of the prisons were built of mud brick, and their sewers, food, health care, education, and recreational facilities were well below standard. Disease was pervasive in the cramped, poorly ventilated facilities, and chronic shortages of medical supplies were reported. Prison inmates were allowed outside their cells for recreation or exercise only irregularly, and many inmates had to provide their own food. Only those with money or whose relatives brought food regularly had sufficient food; petty corruption among prison officials made it difficult for money provided for food to reach prisoners. Poor inmates often relied on handouts from others to survive. Beds or mattresses were not provided to many inmates, forcing them to sleep on concrete floors, often without a blanket. Prison officials, police, and security forces often denied inmates food and medical treatment as a form of punishment or to extort money from them. Harsh conditions and denial of proper medical treatment contributed to the deaths of numerous prisoners. According to the National Governmental Organizations (NGO) Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), dead inmates were promptly buried on the prison compounds, usually without notifications to their families. A nationwide estimate of the number of inmates who died in the country's prisons was difficult to obtain because of poor record keeping by prison officials."

Document(s): Open document

11.01.2006 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Report on prison conditions (overcrowding, lack of food, diseases) ("In overcrowded prisons, survival is a daily battle") [#41639],  [ID 14940]

Document(s): Open document

05.01.2006 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Government plans to free some 25,000 inmates, many of whom have been awaiting trial for years, to decongest overcrowded and unhygienic prisons ("Thousands of prisoners awaiting trial to be freed") [#41432],  [ID 14941]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Prison and detention conditions remain harsh and life threatening ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29466],  [ID 14942]

"Prison and detention conditions remained harsh and life threatening. Most prisons were built 70 to 80 years ago and lacked functioning basic facilities. Lack of potable water, inadequate sewage facilities, and severe overcrowding resulted in unhealthy and dangerous sanitary conditions. Some prisons held 200 to 300 percent more persons than their designed capacity. The Government acknowledged overcrowding as the main cause of the harsh conditions common in the prison system. Prolonged pretrial detention contributed to the overcrowding.

Disease was pervasive in the cramped, poorly ventilated facilities, and chronic shortages of medical supplies were reported. Prison inmates were allowed outside their cells for recreation or exercise only irregularly, and many inmates had to provide their own food. Only those with money or whose relatives brought food regularly had sufficient food; petty corruption among prison officials made it difficult for money provided for food to reach prisoners. Poor inmates often relied on handouts from others to survive. Beds or mattresses were not provided to many inmates, forcing them to sleep on concrete floors, often without a blanket. Prison officials, police, and security forces often denied inmates food and medical treatment as a form of punishment or to extort money from them. Harsh conditions and denial of proper medical treatment contributed to the deaths of numerous prisoners. According to the NGO Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), dead inmates promptly were buried on the prison compounds, usually without notifying their families. A nationwide estimate of the number of inmates who died in the country's prisons was difficult to obtain because of poor record keeping by prison officials."

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Prison conditions ("Nigeria - Länderbericht") [#28135],  [ID 14943]

"Die meisten Gefängnisse Nigerias wurden vor 70 bis 80 Jahren erbaut. Dem überwiegenden Teil der Gebäude mangelt es an den grundlegendsten Einrichtungen. Es fehlt meist an sauberem Trinkwasser und einem funktionierenden Abwassersystem. Die hygienischen Bedingungen werden außerdem durch die massive Überbelegung der Zellen weiter verschlechtert. Im Allgemeinen sind die Haftbedingungen in den Gefängnissen der Städte besser als auf dem Land (USDOS 2004, 1.c.). Laut dem Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) werden die Haftbedingungen sowohl von Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch als auch dem US Department of State als äußerst schlecht beschrieben („ unmenschlich“, „ sehr notdürftig“, „ grausam und lebensbedrohend“) (IRB 14.05.2004). Human Rights Watch (HRW) berichtet außerdem, dass in nigerianischen Gefängnissen nach wie vor die Misshandlung und Folter von Gefangenen weit verbreitet wären (HRW World Report 2003 – Nigeria).

Die Gefängnisbeamten werden unregelmäßig entlohnt und ihre Unterkünfte sind in schlechtem Zustand. Die allgemeine Moral ist entsprechend niedrig und resultiert in erhöhter Korruption (AllAfrica.com/Vanguard 12. März 2004). Im Herbst 2003 drohte das Gefängnispersonal mit einem Streik. Ihre Forderungen bezogen sich auf die Auszahlung ausständiger Gehälter, die Möglichkeit des beruflichen Aufstiegs und die Verbesserung der Haftbedingungen (AFP 02. Oktober 2003). [...]

Ausgänge für Gefängnisinsassen finden nur sporadisch statt. Matratzen und Liegen werden den Gefangenen in der Regel nicht zur Verfügung gestellt. Sie müssen häufig auch ohne Decke am Betonboden schlafen (USDOS 2004, 1.c.).

Gefangene müssen sich selbst um ihr Essen kümmern. Über genügend Nahrung verfügen nur jene Insassen, die entweder genügend Geld haben oder jene, welche von ihren Verwandten regelmäßig versorgt werden. Aufgrund der Korruption erreicht das für Nahrung vorgesehene Geld kaum die Gefangenen. Mittellose Gefangene sind davon abhängig, dass besser gestellte Insassen ihnen etwas Nahrung abgeben (USDOS 2004, 1.c.). Viele Gefangene gelten als unterernährt (IGFM 01. September 2003). Die Gefängnisbeamten werden auch beschuldigt, Gegenstände und Nahrungsmittel für ihre persönliche Verwendung abzuzweigen (Sunday Times 14. März 2004; AllAfrica.com/Vanguard 19. März 2004)."

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Medical treatment ("Nigeria - Länderbericht") [#28135],  [ID 14944]

"Krankheiten sind in den überfüllten und schlecht gelüfteten Räumen weit verbreitet. Es bestehen chronische Medikamentenengpässe. Oft verweigern Gefängnisbeamte, Polizisten und Sicherheitskräfte den Gefangenen Lebensmittel und eine medizinische Behandlung, um sie zu bestrafen oder um Geld zu erpressen. (USDOS 2004, 1.c.).

Amnesty International berichtet, in den vom nigerianischen Sonderberichterstatter für Kinder besuchten Gefängnissen hätten medizinische Einrichtungen für die Behandlung der gängigsten Krankheiten wie Malaria, Tuberkulose und Krätze gefehlt (AI 2004 Nigeria – Women, 4.5).

Es besteht großer Mangel an medizinisch ausgebildetem Personal. Die Tageszeitung Vanguard berichtet über ein Gefängnis, dessen 1.000 Insassen von nur 2 Ärzten versorgt werden (AllAfrica.com/Vanguard 28. Mai 2004). Infektionskrankheiten, darunter Tuberkulose und HIV/AIDS, gelten in den nigerianischen Gefängnissen als weit verbreitet, wie das IRB unter Berufung auf Amnesty International und das US Department of State berichtet (IRB 14. Mai 2004). Die gemeinsame Verwendung von Nadeln sowie der ungeschützte Verkehr unter den Insassen werden für die hohe Verbreitung von AIDS verantwortlich gemacht. Kondome sind in nigerianischen Gefängnissen verboten. Eno Emah, Assistant Controller of Prisons, hält die baldige Einführung von Kondomen auf Grund der offiziellen Missbilligung dieser Maßnahme für unwahrscheinlich, wie die Tageszeitung Daily Champion schreibt (01. August 2004).

Im Januar 2003 kam es zu einem Tuberkulose-Ausbruch in Lagos, woraufhin 56 Gefangene in die Intensivstation eingeliefert werden mussten. Generell stellt das US State Department fest, dass die harten Haftbedingungen sowie die Verweigerung angemessener medizinischer Betreuung zum Tod zahlreicher Gefangener beigetragen hätten. Verstorbene Häftlinge würden häufig innerhalb der Gefängnisse begraben, meist ohne Verständigung der Angehörigen. (USDOS 2004, 1.c.)"

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Life threatening prison conditions ("Country Report - October 2003") [#17332],  [ID 14945]

"5.25 Most Nigerian prisons were built 70 to 80 years ago and lack functioning basic facilities. Lack of potable water, inadequate sewerage facilities, and severe overcrowding resulted in unhealthy and dangerous sanitary conditions. Many prisons held 200 to 300 percent more persons than they were designed to hold. The Government acknowledged the problem of overcrowding as the main cause of the harsh conditions common in the prison system. According to government sources, approximately 45,000 inmates were held in a system of 148 prisons and 83 satellite prisons, with a maximum designed capacity of 33,348 prisoners. Some human rights groups estimate a higher number of inmates, perhaps as many as 47,000.

5.26 Lengthy pre-trial detention remained a serious problem. According to the Constitution, persons charged with offences have the right to an expeditious trial; however, in practice this right was not respected. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reports that between 70% and 80% of those in prison were awaiting trial. Multiple adjournments in some cases had led to serious delays. Backlogs of cases, endemic corruption, and undue political influence continued to hamper the judicial system. Many of the pre-trial detainees held without charge had been detained for periods far longer than the maximum allowable sentence for the crimes of which they were accused. Police cited their inability to transport detainees securely to trial on their scheduled trial dates as one reason why so many of the detainees were denied a trial.

5.27 The NHRC began working with the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Resources Consortium during 2001 to draft a new Prison Bill to conform to the minimum standard rules of prisons practice and provisions of the United Nations. The NHRC has also urged the Federal Government and police not to detain persons in civil cases. During 2001, the Government allowed international and domestic NGO's, including Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), regular access to prisons; however, it did not allow them continuous access to all prisons. PRAWA and the ICRC published newsletters on their work. The Government admits that there are problems with its incarceration and rehabilitation programmes and worked with groups such as these to address those problems. However, groups such as Rotary International report difficulties at the local level in gaining access to prisons and jails to do rehabilitation programmes."

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2002 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Prison conditions remained poor and sometimes life-threatening, despite government promises to release funds for improvements ("World report 2002") [#5281],  [ID 14947]

"Prison conditions remained poor and sometimes life-threatening, despite government promises to release funds for improvements as part of longer-term prison reform plans. Prisons were congested, with inadequate facilities and very limited access to medical care. More than two-thirds of detainees were held without trial, many having spent several years in detention. Torture and ill-treatment were widespread, especially in police custody."

Document(s): Open document