Ghana: UN rights expert to follow up recommendations in
key criminal justice and mental health areas
GENEVA (29 September 2015) – United Nations Special
Rapporteur Juan E. Méndez will carry out a follow-up visit to Ghana from 4 to 7
October 2015, to discuss and assess the level of implementation of the
recommendations issued after his first mission to the country in November 2013.
“I will focus on the challenges I encountered in Ghana,
such as critical issues in the criminal justice system, including conditions of
detention, and mental health-care practices, including the treatment and living
conditions of persons held in psychiatric hospitals and prayer camps,” said the
independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council with monitoring and
reporting on the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment.
“I hope that my second visit to Ghana will assist the
Government in coping with some of the remaining challenges it faces in the
fight against torture, and in finding solutions that will ensure the promotion
of human rights and dignity of all persons,” Mr. Méndez stated.
During the visit at the invitation of the Ghanaian
authorities, the human rights expert will engage with key Government decision
makers and with civil society leaders. “I look forward to assisting the
authorities to further implement my recommendations, uphold the rule of law,
promote accountability, and fulfil the right of victims to reparations,” he
said.
Mr. Méndez will share his preliminary observations and
recommendations at a press conference to be held in Accra on Wednesday, 7
October 2015, at 3 pm, at the FAO Regional Office for Africa conference room
(Block C) - FAO is adjacent the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park, Ridge. Access to the press conference is strictly
limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur will present a follow-up report to
the Human Rights Council in March 2016.
(*) Check the Special Rapporteur’s report on Ghana to the
UN Human Rights Council: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/25/60/Add.1
ENDS
Mr. Juan E. Méndez (Argentina) was appointed by the UN
Human Rights Council as the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in November 2010. Mr. Méndez has
dedicated his legal career to the defense of human rights, and has a long and
distinguished record of advocacy throughout the Americas. He is currently a
Professor of Law at the American University – Washington College of Law and
Co-Chair of the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association.
Learn more, log on to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Torture/SRTorture/Pages/SRTortureIndex.aspx
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest
body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name
of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that
address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of
the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not
UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from
any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
Check the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CAT.aspx
UN Human Rights, country page – Ghana:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/GHIndex.aspx
For media requests, please contact in Ghana: Ms. Cynthia
Prah (Tel: +233 (302) 665511 / Cell: +233 (0) 24 628 1113 /
Cynthia.prah@unic.org)
For further information, please contact Ms. Andrea Furger
(afurger@ohchr.org) or Ms. Andra Nicolescu , anicoles@wcl.american.edu.
For media inquiries related to other UN independent
experts:
Xabier Celaya – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 /
xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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