‘Detention centres in Qatar follow global standards’

Thepenitentiary institutes and detention centres in Qatar strictly followthe international standards in maintaining the dignity and humanity oftheir inmates, in addition to providing them with appropriatehealthcare, affirmed Dr Mohamed Saif al-Kuwari, head of the observationand visits commission at the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC).Speakingto local Arabic daily Arrayah, he said that the committee conducted 250field visits to the detention centres and the various penitentiaryinstitutes in the country other than workers assembly places, healthfacilities and educational institutes within the past five years, toensure that human rights are upheld in accordance with the highestpractices. The commission is planning to increase the rate of thesevisits to up to 100 a year to further boost the implementation of theinternational human rights standards, explained Dr al-Kuwari, who isalso a member of the NHRC.The commission’s visits are unannouncedand starts with a meeting with the officials in charge of the detentioncentres to inquire about the status of implementing human rightsstandards. Then the team would conduct a field of visit of the placeand check all its facilities including the food offered to theprisoners or inmates and the various essential services. Then, themembers of the team conduct direct and open meetings with the prisonersaway from the presence of any guards or police personnel. Accordingly, afull and independent assessment of the human rights situation would bedone to issue the necessary recommendation. Dr al-Kuwari pointed outthat so far the situation is very positive and free movement within thefacility for the prisoners is guaranteed as they are not handcuffed orchained. The security administration concerned allows prisoners tosubmit their complaints through the approved legal channels andprocedures without the fear of any backslash. The administrationalso informs the prisoners about any deaths or serious incidents amongtheir close relatives. In case the issue is serious, the administrationmay allow the prisoner to visit his sick relative. The NHRC memberstressed that women prisoners enjoy good healthcare and those pregnantget due access to all the necessary follow-ups. Also, women with babiesare given special care and diapers and milk for their babies. Inaddition, women prisoners are taught dressmaking, embroidery and otherrelated occupation to make better use of their prison terms. Regardingthe free practice of different religious rites inside Qatar prisons, Dral-Kuwari observed that this is fully granted without anydiscrimination among the followers of different faiths. Besides, allprisoners 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.