The positive reports of the United Nations Working Group and the positive comments included in the recent United States Human Rights Report are recognition of the work of the Prisons Department, a statement said.
The Prisons Department said in a statement that as part of the mission of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances of Persons, meetings were held in April 2022 with various stakeholders in Cyprus, including the Cyprus Prisons Department.
It is added that following the completion of its programme of visits, the Working Group of Experts, in its preliminary observations on Cyprus, made a specific reference to the work carried out in the Prisons Department and in particular to safeguards and guarantees during the detention of prisoners in Cyprus Prisons.
Specifically, the Working Group referred positively to the issues of immediate registration and recording of prisoners, supervision during their detention, notification and information of relatives and family members from the first moment the person is transferred to the Prison, the assistance of a defence lawyer of their choice, as well as the numerous opportunities for contact with the outside world provided to our prisoners.
It is stated in the communication that the Working Group commended the Department of Prisons for the opportunities for education and training of Prison staff members in general, and in particular with regard to the implementation of the Istanbul and Minnesota Protocols.
The positive reports of the United Nations Working Group are further recognition and reward for the work done in the Department of Prisons and the changes it has undergone over the past eight years. Also in recognition of the work of the Prisons Department are the positive comments included in the recent United States Human Rights Report, the statement concludes.
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