BackWith a view to commemorating the Human Rights Day 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman conducted an awareness session on 5th December 2024 at the Mauritius Prisons Training School. With an engaged audience of 65 participants, the session aimed to sensitize Prison Officers and newly recruited Officers on the role and services provided by the Office and their duties and responsibility under prevailing local legislation and International Covenants.
Prisons Officers were lectured on the importance of processing and handling detainees’ correspondence in good time, i.e., all letters addressed to the Ombudsman should be forwarded unopened and immediately by registered post. Emphasis was also laid on the basic principles of treating detainees with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules. The Officers were also briefed on the State’s obligations to ensure effective implementation of the International Covenants related to the rights of Prisoners and were encouraged to adopt a human rights approach when dealing with Prisoners on their day-to-day duties.
The session concluded with an interactive segment, allowing participants to discuss recurring challenges they encounter and exchange best practices.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Mauritius
