ICRC training for prison leaders

Prison leaders have undergone training to improve the conditions for inmates, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday.

Prison officials underwent a four-day programme to “strengthen and develop the competence” of the management of detention centres, the ICRC said. In particular, prison officials were taught to respect the rights of women and children.

The move comes amid deep concern over the treatment of prisoners in Ethiopia and follows similar training programmes for prison staff.

The US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in its latest 2003 country report that conditions in Ethiopia’s prisons were appalling.

It stated that prison conditions “did not meet international standards” and alleged that in certain parts of the country some prisoners were tortured.

The ICRC training was for prison administration officials in the Southern Nation, Nationalities and People’s Regional (SNNPR) region.

In a statement, ICRC said that “respect for human dignity” and the treatment of women and children were addressed during the training in the regional capital Awassa.

“Health problems related to nutrition, clean water and solid waste management were also discussed,” it added. “Medical treatment of sick detainees with a particular emphasis in mental illness and diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS were also largely developed.”

The ICRC regularly visits prisoners in Ethiopian jails across the country. This year alone it has carried out more than 160 visits to 128 detention centres.