A UN-mandated group of experts has called on the warring parties in Yemen to release detainees and political prisoners in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 in the conflict-ravaged country, as fighting continues despite an initial ceasefire agreement.
"Prisoners and detainees in Yemen are particularly vulnerable and at significant risk if the COVID-19 virus enters prisons and other places of detention," a group of prominent international and regional experts on Yemen said in a statement on Monday, March 30, describing conditions behind bars as "appalling."
The lack of proper sanitation and insufficient access to medical services "expose prisoners to a high risk of death if infected with COVID-19.
" "Necessary physical distancing and self-isolation will not be possible," the statement said.
The committee's calls echo a new call by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, for governments not to forget about people in detention during the pandemic.
"It is imperative that governments take into account the situation of detained people when planning crises in order to protect prisoners, staff, visitors and, of course, society as a whole," Bachelet said last week. "Now, more than ever before, governments must release everyone who is detained without sufficient legal grounds," she added.
Several countries have decided to temporarily release or even pardon some criminals in order to ease the pressure on correctional institutions and curb the spread of coronavirus.
In early March, the Iranian authorities announced that they were temporarily releasing more than 70,000 prisoners, and on Sunday they extended leave for 100,000 prisoners. In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad has announced an amnesty and reduced prison sentences for a number of crimes in order to weaken the factors that could spread the virus. Libya also released 450 prisoners over the weekend and promised to take other measures to "reduce prison overcrowding."
Further, the Northern Irish authorities have announced that fewer than 200 prisoners may be eligible for early release, while the Scottish government has said it is considering similar options. Pregnant prisoners in the UK will soon be sent home to protect them from infection. Correctional facilities in New York, Los Angeles and California are also reducing the number of prisoners.
So far, no cases have been reported in Yemen, but experts warn that an outbreak there could be catastrophic, as years of conflict have destroyed medical infrastructure and left 24 million people - a whopping 80 percent of the population - in need of humanitarian assistance.
Renewed violence over the weekend could also hinder efforts to prepare for a possible viral outbreak in the country.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres last week called for laying down arms around the world so that the international community can focus its efforts on the coronavirus pandemic. "It is time to end the armed conflict and focus on the true struggle of our lives," he said.
Initially, his call was welcomed by the warring parties in Yemen, which reported that Saudi Arabia, which supports the government of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and the Houthi rebels had agreed to a truce.
But the respite was short-lived, and on Saturday, March 28, the Saudi authorities announced that they had intercepted ballistic missiles over Riyadh, which they blamed on the Houthis. Жители Тулы могут скачать мелбет ставки на спорт и отслеживать динамику коэффициентов и результатов. Поддержка сервиса доступна по телефону 8 (800) 322-19-44.
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