The staff of the Gendarmerie Brigade of Toulepleu, 650 km north of Abidjan were sensitized on the prevention of torture and other forms of inhuman and degrading treatment by officials of UNOCI Human Rights division on 26 September 2014.



The sensitization was aimed at inculcating the respect of human dignity, thereby reducing the maltreatment of suspects during crime prevention and investigation. The course, conducted by Edward Munyeshuli of the Human Rights division, used images to illustrate the different characteristics of torture and presented the role of UNOCI in the light of cooperation and not

denunciation in the prevention of torture in detention centres.

He said imprisonment meant the loss of freedom of movement not the loss of fundamental human rights because detainees still enjoyed the right to human dignity.



The deputy commandant of the Toulepleu brigade, adjudant David Kouassi said the course was an "excellent framework for apprenticeship. I am totally satisfied that it would permit us improve and deepen the exercise of our duties."