The Senegalese parliament has adopted a proposal for a law on healthcare in prisons, with 130 votes in favor, including 18 by proxy. The law, introduced by deputies Khady Sarr, Anta Dia, Cheikh Faye, and Mamadou Lamine Diaïté, aims to correct the lack of a coherent regulatory framework in prison healthcare, which has led to unequal treatment between citizens and those deprived of their liberty.
The government, represented by Health and Public Hygiene Minister Ibrahima Sy, welcomed the parliamentary initiative, describing it as a "widely shared concern" to provide detainees with access to medical care. The minister stated that the law will help to address the shortcomings in prison healthcare and ensure that detainees receive adequate medical attention.
During the examination of the law, the government presented eight amendments, five of which were adopted in their entirety. These amendments focus on recentering organic provisions, strengthening the prohibition of cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, and clarifying conditions for consent to medical care and medical confidentiality.
The adopted law also stipulates that the organization of penitentiary health services will be defined by a decree taken on the joint proposal of the ministries responsible for health and justice. This decree is expected to provide a framework for the provision of healthcare services in prisons, ensuring that detainees receive adequate medical care.
The deputies who introduced the proposal, including Khady Sarr, emphasized that the law represents a significant step towards a penitentiary system that respects human dignity. They also highlighted that the law will enable Senegal to fulfill its international commitments, including the "Nelson Mandela Rules" adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
The "Nelson Mandela Rules" are a set of minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, aimed at ensuring that detainees are treated with dignity and respect. The adoption of the law is seen as a major step forward for Senegal in terms of improving its penitentiary system and upholding human rights.
The law is expected to come into effect soon, and its implementation will be closely monitored by the relevant authorities. The government and parliament have expressed their commitment to ensuring that the law is enforced and that detainees receive the medical care they need.
Key points
- The Senegalese parliament has adopted a law aimed at improving healthcare in prisons, addressing a gap in the country's penal system.
- The law was introduced by deputies Khady Sarr, Anta Dia, Cheikh Faye, and Mamadou Lamine Diaïté, and was supported by the government.
- The law is expected to enable Senegal to fulfill its international commitments, including the "Nelson Mandela Rules" adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
