Some 80 prison wardens and superintendents from the northern towns of Korhogo and Boundiali took part in a 2-day workshop organized by the Human Rights division of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on the respect of the rights of women and privacy of detainees in the prison environment.



According to the officer in charge of programmes at the Legal Clinic in Korhogo, Inza Bamba, the workshop which took place on the 28 and 29 October 2014 in Korhogo was held within the framework of the project for the improvement of access to rights and justice (PALAJ) and was aimed at sensitizing prison staff on the rights of detainees and vulnerable persons in prison.

One of the trainers, Mr. Salif Boite called on participants to change their attitude towards detainees. "Of course they have been deprived of their liberty but they have rights which you must take into account in the exercise of your duties," he cautioned.



The participants expressed the wish for UNOCI and its partner the Legal Clinic to conduct workshops on questions related to child labour, the carrying of arms, the organization of court registry services in prison and the obligations of detainees towards prison staff.



Participants also pleaded with government to improve their working and living condition, and expressed the need for further training programmes.