UN voices concern over conditions at Latin American prisons

UN voices concern over conditions at Latin American prisons

2012-02-18 18:56:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations on Friday voiced concern about prison conditions across Latin America after hundreds of prisoners died in an overnight fire at a jail in Honduras earlier this week.

The UN cited overcrowding, a lack of access to basic services, judicial delays, and excessive pre-trial detention as some of the causes which have worsened conditions in detention facilities. Prison conditions across Latin America have been repeatedly criticized in UN reports, which provide recommendations for authorities so they can comply with international human rights standards.

On late Tuesday evening, at least 382 people were killed when a fire broke out at a prison in Comayagua, the capital of the province which carries the same name. It was the world's deadliest ever prison fire. There were a total of 853 inmates at the facility, well above its maximum capacity of 400.

The Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged the Honduran government to investigate the causes of the fire and whether conditions at the prison contributed to the loss of lives. Most recently, OHCHR expressed concern about a video that emerged showing a handcuffed female prisoner who had just given birth in Brazil.

"States have an obligation to ensure that conditions of detention are compatible with the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," said Rupert Colville, OHCHR spokesperson. "All individuals deprived of their liberty have the right to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, as recognized by international human rights instruments."

In May 2004, a total of 107 inmates were killed when a fire broke out at a state prison in the city of San Pedro Sula, located in northwestern Honduras. Inmates blamed guards for the many deaths because they refused to open the cells as they screamed for help.

And in April 2003, fighting between rival gang members and a subsequent fire left 68 people dead at a prison in the Honduran port city of La Ceiba. A subsequent investigation blamed prison guards and police for most of the deaths, all gang members.

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