Algeria: Fifth series of visits to detainees

Under a 1999 agreement with the Algerian government, a team made up of five delegates including a doctor carried out a fifth round of visits between 10 November and 12 December to prisons run by the Ministry of Justice. The delegates, who went to nine prisons under the jurisdiction of the courts of Annaba, Jijel, Tizi Ouzou, Adrar and Blida, assessed conditions of detention in five places being visited for the first time and saw what action had been taken on their recommendations in four places visited previously. Their interviews with detainees also enabled them to check on treatment and conditions in places run by the Ministries of the Interior and of Defence where detainees were held following arrest.

The four remand centres, three rehabilitation centres and two reintegration centres visited housed a total of 3,596 inmates, including 56 women and 27 minors. The delegates conducted private interviews with 449 detainees of their choice, including 144 arrested and held in custody in 2001. The ICRC doctor visited sick detainees and talked with medical and paramedical staff about detainee health, the quality and organization of medical care and the conditions under which hospitals admitted detainees in need of specialized treatment.

The delegates discussed their findings concerning conditions of detention and treatment, together with problems reported by the detainees, with the local detaining authorities and the Ministry of Justice. They showed particular concern for relations between detainees and their families, which are crucial for ensuring successful reintegration. The most vulnerable groups of detainees, such as women, minors and non-Algerians, also received special attention. A report containing the delegates'observations and recommendations will be submitted to the Algerian authorities early next year.

While the visits were taking place, the ICRC pursued its consultations with the Algerian authorities on the role it could play in providing further training for prison medical staff and improving their status. It also wishes to step up the discussions it is holding with all the authorities concerned with a view to ensuring that people deprived of their freedom are protected from the moment of their arrest.

Since autumn 1999, ICRC delegates have visited a total of 37 places of detention run by the Ministry of Justice and held 2,089 private interviews with detainees.