BANGUI, Central African Republic, August 22, 2024 /African Media Agency (AMA)/- The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Republic (MINUSCA) is multiplying initiatives to support the Central African authorities for the operation of a more rigorous, more professional and standards-compliant prison administration in the Central African Republic.
During the Mission’s weekly press conference on Wednesday in Bangui, MINUSCA spokesperson Florence Marchal presented several of these actions, illustrating MINUSCA’s support for the Central African prison system.
In Kaga-Bandoro, MINUSCA has launched work to rehabilitate the town prison. “It is planned to build a visiting room, a kitchen, a double-cabin latrine, a shed and a washing basin, to finish the construction work on the police station, and to repair the roof of the detention center.”said the Mission’s spokesperson, “Funded by MINUSCA, this work contributes to bringing the prison up to standard and will improve detention conditions and facilitate the work of prison staff.”said the MINUSCA spokesperson.
Florence Marchal also mentioned another important aspect, that of access to healthcare in prison. In Berberati, she said, on August 13 and 14, 166 detainees, including six women and two minors, were able to have a complete health check-up supported by MINUSCA. “The Minister of Health, who visited the prison on August 14, recognized the importance of MINUSCA’s support for improving detention conditions”she stressed.
Meanwhile, in the centre of the country, in Kaga Bandoro, MINUSCA organised training on 17 August at the town’s prison on ethics and professional conduct within the prison administration for ten guards.
In addition, the MINUSCA spokesperson stressed during this press conference that to date, 250 of the 295 new integrated civilian prison officers have been deployed to their posts, including 172 in prisons outside Bangui, with the logistical support of MINUSCA.
“These activities by MINUSCA confirm the commitment made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, in the recent publication of a joint report, that the United Nations will continue to support the Government in improving respect for human rights and the rule of law in the Central African Republic, including in places of detention.”said MINUSCA spokesperson Florence Marchal.
During this press conference, the MINUSCA spokesperson stressed that the Mission is also providing support to the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Local Development, for the redeployment of prefects and sub-prefects in hard-to-reach areas, particularly in Bambari, Batangafo and Paoua. Similarly, MINUSCA is supporting the Ministry of National Education for the organization of the second round of the 2024 BAC exams, by facilitating the deployment, again in hard-to-reach areas, of jury presidents to Birao, Obo, Paoua and Bangassou. “And, as was the case during the June exams, MINUSCA is helping to secure the exams.”she argued.
“One of MINUSCA’s priority missions is to contribute to the extension of the authority of the State and to enable its representatives to be present and operational throughout the Central African territory”said MINUSCA spokesperson Florence Marchal.
Asked about MINUSCA’s support for the electoral process, the spokesperson recalled the Mission’s commitment to supporting this process according to the mandate granted to it by the Security Council and with the resources made available to it, in partnership with the Central African Government. Florence Marchal recalled the importance of successfully completing the first stage of this process, which consists of revising the electoral register, for which MINUSCA, in addition to its logistical and technical support, security, good offices and coordination, contributed US$1.3 million to the PACEC-UNDP joint basket. “The revision of the electoral register represents a unique opportunity to have an inclusive electorate that reflects all components of the population of this country,” she said, encouraging women to register once the operations are launched in order to be able to be voters but also candidates.
Distributed by African Media Agency for the MINUSCA
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-08-22 09:31:41
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