Africa-Press. UN experts have warned of ongoing concerning situations related to violence, arbitrary arrests, and detention conditions in Gabon during the 84th session of the Committee Against Torture, which concludes on May 1 in Switzerland.
During this session, the situation in Gabon was reviewed, and the global organization against torture, in collaboration with local NGOs, published a report addressing prison conditions in the country, as well as what it described as acts of violence perpetrated by security forces, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful detention.
The report indicated that these practices continue despite the political change that occurred in the country in August 2023. Civil society organizations confirmed that access to justice remains limited, with ongoing cases of torture and mistreatment, including beatings and forced confessions.
In this context, Aisha Claudine Tsumbu, head of the “Reconciliation” association, stated during her participation in the Geneva sessions that arbitrary arrests are significantly increasing, emphasizing the need to expedite the addressing of violations and implement the laws ratified by the state, while noting the continued reports of torture and deaths in detention facilities.
UN experts expressed their concern during discussions about severe overcrowding in prisons, where occupancy rates in the central prison in the capital, Libreville, range between 400% and 700%, with detainees waiting for trial for periods ranging from 10 to 12 years.
The experts also raised the issue of what they termed “widespread impunity,” alongside the existence of unofficial detention centers, including facilities belonging to the General Directorate of Counterintelligence and Military Security, known as “B2” in Libreville.
For its part, Gabonese authorities, during their presentation of the report to the committee, affirmed their commitment to continue efforts to improve the situation, particularly through the development of the legislative framework, expediting the handling of pre-trial detention cases, and reorganizing and strengthening the role of the National Human Rights Commission.
