in the North West and South West Regions323. This lead to the transfer of inmates from such prisons to less populated ones. Transfers were also prompted by security reasons due to the fact that some prison facilities were attacked. 549- For security reasons, especially as some prisons were attacked, inmates were transferred in safer prison facilities either in the same region or in another region. §2: Improvement of Living Conditions in Prisons (Rec. 9) 550-As regards the improvement of living conditions, prison infrastructure, feeding and health facilities have been enhanced. For the enhancement of infrastructure, since 2013 new prisons have been constructed and some existing ones rehabilitated, thereby bringing the total number of prisons to 91, out of which 79 were operational in 2017. 551-With regard to feeding, the budget allocated for prisoners increased from CFAF2,058,000,000324in 2013 to CFAF4,470,000,000325in 2017. The increase brought the general averaged rate for feeding per detainee per day from CFAF218 in 2013 to CFAF408 in 2017. 552- Concerning health, there are dispensaries in prisons and a staff strength of 23 medical doctors, 250 nurses and medico-sanitary technicians to cater for the health of prisoners. Inmates are routinely screened for conditions such as HIV and tuberculosis. 553- Prisons are generally provided with pipe borne water and/or boreholes. Toilet facilities and sewage disposal systems are found in prisons especially Central Prisons. §3: Protection of the Rights of Detainees in a Context of Security Constraints 554- Prison conditions are constantly checked by competent authorities. Various legal Departments control Prisons as well as other detention centres within their area of competence with the aim of verifying the legality of detention as well as detention conditions. Controls are also carried out by the Inspectorate General of Penitentiary Administration of the Ministry of Justice. The Department of Human Rights and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice also visits prisons to appraise the Human Rights situation of detainees. By virtue of its mandate, the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms also visits prisons nationwide for an appraisal of the Human Rights situation of detainees. Non-governmental organisations have as well been visiting prisons. During such visits, they provide basic foodstuff and hygiene and sanitation packages to the inmates. They also carryout counselling of detainees and offer them legal assistance in some cases. CHAPTER 5: PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (ARTICLES 19 to 24) 555- Considering the ambiguity of the notion of “peoples”, this Report will consider people as people-State or the population of a State, since the colonial issue had been settled for Cameroon since the 1960s. It will take into account the guidelines of the ACHPR on the issue326. During the reference period, in addition to concerns on guaranteeing the rights of Cameroonians as a people, identity claims resurfaced thereby questioning the unity of the 323 Between 2016 and 2018, the number of inmates rose from 881 to 1,773 in Maroua Central Prison, from 785 to 1,093 in Bamenda Central Prison, from 998 to 1,327 in Buea Central Prison, from 896 to 936 in the Bafoussam Central Prison and from 4,093 to 4,409 in Yaounde Central Prison). 324 About 3 142 euros 325 About 6 824,427.5 euros. 326 They are the indications contained in the Report of the Working Group of Experts on indigenous population/communities; the major guidelines and principles of the drawing up of States Report by virtue of Articles 21 and 24 of the African Charter on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights. 92

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