UNOGBIS organises training for 20 lawyers

The United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) is helping organise a training programme for 20 lawyers that will hopefully quicken trials in the country, Annan said in his report. UNOGBIS is working with civil society groups, the Attorney General’s office, the president of the Supreme Court and the justice minister, who are trying to speed up hearings for 600 political and military prisoners detained after the fall of ex-president Joao Bernardo Vieira, in May. “However, concern continues to be raised about the sub-standard conditions of the detention of these prisoners. Many of the cells in which they are detained are ill-designed and ill-equipped for extended confinement,” Annan said in his report of 29 September on the country and on UNOGBIS activities. In a show of national reconciliation, Annan said, self-styled Military Junta leader Brigadier General Ansumane Mane met with two imprisoned senior military officers in the presence of their families, the Attorney General and an official of the presidency. Subsequently, Annan said, his representatives and a human rights officer visited all prisoners to review their conditions of detention and recommend improvements. “The visits were also meant to demonstrate to the prisoners that the international community cares about their fate,” Annan said.