The People’s Advocate calls on the president of the National Commission for Exceptional Situations to take additional measures to protect the prison staff and prisoners in the context of COVID-19 infection.
In an approach sent on behalf of the Prime Minister and the President of the National Commission for Exceptional Situations, Ion Chicu, the People’s Advocate notes that during March 20-23, this year, he was informed that some employees of the penitentiary institutions had a fever. He was also informed about the lack of the necessary equipment for the prevention and treatment of the new type Coronavirus in prisons, especially within the penitentiary institution no.16-Pruncul (penitentiary hospital). Mihail Cotorobai warns of the risk that the penitentiary institutions cannot prevent the spread of the disease, and the civil ones cannot ensure the treatment of the infected persons.
Based on the foregoing, in order to prevent contamination of prison staff (about 1500 – who are in direct contact with prisoners) and prisoners (about 6700 people), the Ombudsman called for the examination of the opportunity to implement additional measures of protection against COVID-19 of the prison staff and the prisoners, from the perspective of ensuring the right to life and health.
Mihail Cotorobai recalled that on March 19 this year, in common with civil society organizations, he submitted an Appeal requesting the implementation of additional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus in penitentiary institutions [1], in which it is reported about the real danger of spread of the epidemic in the prison premises.
The Ombudsman also notes that he proposed to the National Commission for Exceptional Situations to establish a mechanism for interacting with the People’s Advocate Office during the emergency regime, but he did not receive any response to this approach.
The People’s Advocate reiterates on this occasion the collaboration proposal with the members of the National Commission for Exceptional Situations, emphasizing that he has submitted and will submit more proposals and suggestions regarding the actions / inactions of the responsible authorities, in order to streamline the crisis management caused by the new type Coronavirus pandemic. Mihail Cotorobai also pointed out that he will continue to carefully monitor the activity of public institutions regarding the implementation of measures to prevent and protect the population from COVID-19.
2020/03/23
Department for Human Rights Promotion and Communication
Tel .: 060002656
[1] https://promolex.md/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Apel_M%C4%83suri-suplimentare_CoronaV_Sfinal.pdf
