Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lesotho Times
Published on 2024-04-03 15:12:30
Amnesty International has expressed shock at the recent revelations made by Lesotho Ombudsman, Tlotliso Polaki, regarding the inhumane treatment of inmates at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI). The report highlighted a disturbing pattern of human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force, and denial of medical care to detainees at the facility.
Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged acts of torture and abuse suffered by the detainees. She called for authorities to ensure accountability by bringing the perpetrators to justice in fair trials and providing victims with access to justice and effective remedies.
Chikwanda also urged the Minister of Law and Justice and the Commissioner of Correctional Services to take steps to reform the country’s correctional system. This includes revising laws and regulations governing detention, improving conditions of confinement, and promoting a culture of respect for human rights among correctional staff.
Furthermore, authorities must ensure that the detainees at MCCI are protected from torture by implementing the recommendations put forth by the Office of the Ombudsman. It is essential to take immediate action to safeguard the rights and well-being of all individuals held at the correctional institution.
The background of the incident dates back to December 22, 2023, when detainees at MCCI were subjected to brutal beatings by officers from the Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS). The Ombudsman’s report uncovered instances of abuse of power by recruits from the LCS training facility, along with negligence and dereliction of duty by some officers during a routine search operation that resulted in visible injuries to inmates.
In response, detainees’ relatives sought justice through the Maseru Court, highlighting the unlawful imposition of corporal punishment and the denial of visitation rights. Following investigations conducted in January 2024, the Ombudsman report shed light on the grave violations of human rights that occurred at the MCCI.
Amnesty International continues to call for thorough and transparent investigations into the abuses at the MCCI and for the implementation of measures to ensure the protection of detainees from further harm. It is crucial for authorities in Lesotho to uphold international human rights standards and to work towards a correctional system that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals in its custody.
Read the original article on Lesotho Times
