— Human Rights Commission impressed with adherence to human rights in prisons

Human Rights Commission impressed with adherence to human rights in prisons

Chipata, June 29,2014, ZANIS  —  The Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Eastern province  says it appreciates the improved environment and adherence to human rights for inmates at Namuseche Prison in Chipata district in Eastern Province.

And Namuseche Prisons Acting Officer–In-Charge Tapalati Mubembe welcomed the visit by Human Rights Commissioner saying the Prison will keep on improving on issues regarding human rights abuses.

Eastern Province HRC Investigations Officer Winstone Nunkwe says  his Commission was happy with the improved levels of human rights by prison cell captains and prison warders  going by a few complaints lodged this year to last years’ when the commission visited the prison.

ZANIS reports from Chipata in Eastern province that Mr Nunkwe said this after a conducted tour of the prison over the weekend to mark this year’s International Day in remembrance of tortured victims whose activities runs from 20^th to 30^th June yearly.

He told the prisoners to adhere to regulations while in prison so that they do not attract unnecessary friction between them, officers and their captains.

Mr Nunkwe also expressed happiness that even prisoners were able to speak out on violation of human rights.

He also called on stakeholders to endeavor to protect and promote human rights for inmates so that they are not toured or exposed to hash conditions while in prison as corporal punishment was abolished in Zambia.

He also appreciated the inmates for keeping their environment clean by way of cleaning and improvement in the provision of running water and enabling environment by the prison authority.

He however stated that partners should come on board to assist the institution with beddings and mattresses as it is the biggest challenge that the prison is facing.

And Namuseche Prisons Acting Officer–In-Charge Tapalati Mubembe welcomed the visit by Human Rights Commissioner saying the Prison will keep on improving on issues regarding human rights abuses.

Mr Mubembe stated that the prison appreciated partners like Human Rights who keep on checking on the prison to improve on its shortfalls.

He however stated that the violation sometimes comes about among prisoners when some of them refuse to go to work in the field.

He said Eastern region has 100 hectares which it cultivates to feed the prisoners hence the need for cooperation among the inmates to work hard without being pushed around to improve food security at the prison as they directly benefitted.

He said issues of torture compared to last year when the commission visited have been minimized because the sensitization has been for both the inmates and officers.

He disclosed that the prison currently has 844 convicts among them were male and female convicts, Prohibited immigrants, those serving death sentence and Juveniles.

And speaking on behalf of  his colleagues, Isaac Daka appealed to government and well-wishers to provide the prison with mattress and beddings because the ones they were using were worn-out.

Incarcerated Daka stated that government should also expedite the transportation of Prohibited Immigrants to their countries of origin.

He also stated that there is need to equip the Namuseche Rural Health Centre with enough medicine considering illness is inevitable among inmates adding that they should also be quickly taken to hospital once they are sick alleging that the prison authority delay taking them for medical attention..