publications and documents, supplementary readers for all levels of education, etc.. Dramas
and films are also produced by individuals and groups of artists in various languages.
International Conferences are also organized with the aim of promoting research
development and integrate Eritrea‟s capabilities into the international intellectual culture. The
International Conference on Language Development in Africa (1999), International Early
Childhood Conference (2002), International Conference of Solidarity on Decent Work
(2016), and International Conference on Eritrean Studies are some recent examples. They
have been instrumental in unraveling the aspirations and potentials of the Eritrean
youth.While all the above effort contributed significantly in strengthening the culture of free
expression, seminars and discussions at various levels and for different purposes also serve in
consolidating critical thinking and participation.
76. The emerging development of Satellite communication has also set a new realm in the
culture of expression among Eritreans. There is exponential growth in television satellite
dishes that have sprouted throughout the country including in rural areas and peripheries.
With standard decoders that most families own, households have access to more than 600
foreign satellite TV and radio channels that broadcast their programmes 24 hours a day
without any restriction. Major sources like CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, CCTV, RT, France 24,
Euro News, Ethiopian and other TV stations from neighboring countries are available on
Arab Sat and Nile Sat easily accessed by these decoders.
Rights of a person in detention
77. In the last 17 years continuous effort has been made to expand and strengthen the
penitentiary system which runs 11 detention facilities (1 of them in the capital city only for
females). The principle is that detained persons are treated with humanity and their dignity,
security and development guaranteed in accordance to the National Codes. Hence, the
underlying objectives and main purpose of the Eritrea Correctional and Rehabilitation
Services (ECRS) has thus remained to rehabilitate convicted individuals so that they would
become law-abiding and productive citizens when they reintegrate into the society. In
practice, the Prison Services Regulation is strictly followed and implemented. Inmates are
given orientation on the center‟s administration and regulation to acquaint with their rights
and duties. They are also given guidelines and information on how to report on any abuses.
In this regard, prison police (PP) officers who violate the regulation are accounted by the
law. There are internal codes of conduct to enforce these regulations.
78. The growth in the facilities and services indicates the prioritization of human security and
human development of the detainees during the reporting period:
5 centers developed their own inpatient section in the clinics inside the prisons
1 center has its own laboratory
Seven centers have AIDS Counseling sections (there were none in 1999)
8 have developed education programme up to secondary level (there were only 2 in 1999)
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