The United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) has just made a series of observations to the Cameroonian authorities. One of these observations concerns the improvement of conditions of detention in Cameroonian prisons.
The CAT lists “the poor material conditions of detention in many places of deprivation of liberty, in particular the unsanitary conditions and lack of hygiene, the lack of ventilation, the inadequate quality of food and water, provided in insufficient quantities, as well as the lack of recreational or educational activities promoting reintegration. In addition, the limited access to quality health care”. To improve these conditions, the CAT makes proposals to Cameroon. This UN body recommends decongesting prisons in Cameroon. “Ensure that pretrial detention is imposed only exceptionally for limited periods,” reads the document that the CAT is sending to the Cameroonian government.
Prison overcrowding is indeed a concern for the government in Yaoundé. The CAT estimates that, on average, there are around 30,000 prisoners for a capacity of 9,000 places in the country’s prisons. To change this, the Cameroonian Ministry of Justice is implementing a prison infrastructure development project. Thanks to this project, two prisons were opened a few years ago in Douala to relieve congestion at New Bell Prison. A prison was also opened in Limbe to relieve congestion at Buea Prison in the South-West region. The CAT has also informed Cameroon that it supports this project.
Despite everything, the CAT urges Cameroon to make even more efforts. Particularly in improving the conditions of detention for people living with disabilities. That’s not all, because the CAT also proposes that the Cameroonian authorities facilitate prisoners’ access to care and work to increase the number of prison staff. “Allocate the necessary resources for good medical and health care for prisoners, including in terms of mental health,” also mentions the CAT.
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