The
penitentiary institutes and detention centres in Qatar strictly follow
the international standards in maintaining the dignity and humanity of
their inmates, in addition to providing them with appropriate
healthcare, affirmed Dr Mohamed Saif al-Kuwari, head of the observation
and visits commission at the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC).
Speaking
to local Arabic daily Arrayah, he said that the committee conducted 250
field visits to the detention centres and the various penitentiary
institutes in the country other than workers assembly places, health
facilities and educational institutes within the past five years, to
ensure that human rights are upheld in accordance with the highest
practices.
The commission is planning to increase the rate of these
visits to up to 100 a year to further boost the implementation of the
international human rights standards, explained Dr al-Kuwari, who is
also a member of the NHRC.
The commission’s visits are unannounced
and starts with a meeting with the officials in charge of the detention
centres to inquire about the status of implementing human rights
standards.
Then the team would conduct a field of visit of the place
and check all its facilities including the food offered to the
prisoners or inmates and the various essential services. Then, the
members of the team conduct direct and open meetings with the prisoners
away from the presence of any guards or police personnel. Accordingly, a
full and independent assessment of the human rights situation would be
done to issue the necessary recommendation.
Dr al-Kuwari pointed out
that so far the situation is very positive and free movement within the
facility for the prisoners is guaranteed as they are not handcuffed or
chained.
The security administration concerned allows prisoners to
submit their complaints through the approved legal channels and
procedures without the fear of any backslash.
The administration
also informs the prisoners about any deaths or serious incidents among
their close relatives. In case the issue is serious, the administration
may allow the prisoner to visit his sick relative.
The NHRC member
stressed that women prisoners enjoy good healthcare and those pregnant
get due access to all the necessary follow-ups. Also, women with babies
are given special care and diapers and milk for their babies. In
addition, women prisoners are taught dressmaking, embroidery and other
related occupation to make better use of their prison terms.
Regarding
the free practice of different religious rites inside Qatar prisons, Dr
al-Kuwari observed that this is fully granted without any
discrimination among the followers of different faiths. Besides, all
prisoners are allowed communication with their respective clergymen.
He pointed out that rooms of the prisoners and those detained comply with the related international standards.
The same applies to the attached service facilities such as toilets, food halls, kitchens, and showers.
Prisons also provide recreation facilities and a library in addition to access to some satellite channels.