Anti-torture partners seek further progress

Activists and government entities involved in the third phase of Karama project to address torture have vowed to continue their efforts to improve the treatment and conditions of detainees, Jordan Times reported.

The pledges were made at the conclusion of the third phase of Karama project that is run by the Ministry of Justice, National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR), Mizan for Law and the Danish Institute against Torture (DIGNITY).

Launched in 2008, the Karama project aims to improve the way detainees and inmates are treated, and the conditions in detention and correctional facilities.

"The programme has contributed to the improvement of the treatment and conditions for persons detained at correctional and rehabilitation centres in Jordan, and in strengthening the capacities to fight all sorts of ill treatment and torture," said Lubna Nasser, DIGNITY's country representative.

The accomplishments have been internationally acknowledged, according to Nasser.

She referred to the concluding observations on Jordan from the UN Committee against Torture (2015) that welcomed the establishment of a national register for cases of torture at the public prosecution offices, holding two international conferences on torture and prevention, alternatives to pre-trial detention and legislative amendments.

Nisreen Zreiqat, who heads the NCHR Criminal Justice Unit and the Acting Commissioner for Public Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, said that Jordan has gone a long way in improving the status of inmates.

"We have a team of activists who can visit any correctional facility in Jordan without prior approval or appointment. This was a taboo in the past," Zreiqat said.

The project also aimed at strengthening the professional capacity of law enforcement institutions to prevent torture and ill treatment, and respond appropriately and effectively when such acts occur.

The project was also designed to strengthen the capacity of core institutions within the criminal justice sector with the ultimate goal of improving the treatment of people in prison or custody and the conditions of their confinement.

Date: 3 April 2016

Source: Jordan Times