It is through a letter dated June 1, 2021 and addressed to the Minister of Justice, in charge of Human Rights, Erlyne Antonella Ndembet marries Damascus that the NGO SOS Prisonniers Gabon (SPG) denounced the treatment ” inhuman »Inflicted on 3 inmates at the women’s remand center (MAF). Indeed, Diane Song, Marlene Ndou Menié and Nathalie Princesse Andoue-Mba saw their hair shaved by matonnes who reproached them for ” lack of respect ».
Has the Libreville central prison located in Gros-Bouquet in the 1st arrondissement of Libreville transformed into a world freed from human rights? This is the question one would be tempted to ask, as the news that comes from it is not of a nature to describe the reverse. In addition to the inconsistent food ration, the prison officers allegedly began to undermine the dignity of inmates in the women’s section. Indeed, 3 imprisoned women responding to the names of Diane Kanto, Marlène Ndou Menié and Nathalie Princesse Andoue-Mba, were mistreated by those supposed to watch over them.
« Three women namely Kanto Diane, Ndou Menié Marlène and Nathalie Princesse Andoue-Mba – have suffered perhaps their worst humiliation since being imprisoned: their hair was cut by prison security officers, who turn out to be women too, according to our information », Said Lionel Ella Engonga, president of SOS Prisonniers Gabon. Inhuman treatment incompatible with the texts in force which enshrine protection for all detainees, even for those serving the worst sentences.
To justify their despicable act, the matonnes would have revealed that the prisoners had disrespected them. Only, according to SPG, this explanation is far-fetched. ” In decree 0018 / MJGS / CAB of July 15, 2014 on the Internal Regulations of penitentiary establishments, in particular in chapter 2 entitled: “Sanctions and rewards”, it is not mentioned that if a detained person lacks respect for the chiefs, we have to cut her hair or hit her », Was indignant Lionel Ella Engonga.
Stating that Nathalie Princesse Andoue-Mba, a victim, would present psychiatric disorders would never have been taken care of, SOS prisoners Gabon called on Erlyne Antonella Ndembet wife Damascus to shed light on the fact. ” Madam Minister, we ask you to conduct an investigation, so that the agents who inflicted this treatment contrary to the texts in force and to international standards are sanctioned so that the vice does not prosper. », Concluded its president on this subject. Strongly a reaction from the government
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