MECC Prison Ministry Training For Prison Officers
Jointly organized and implemented by the Unit on Life and Service, the Huma n Rights Institute in Lebanon and the Interior Security forces (ISF) from February 28 - March 1, 2007, in Beirut, Lebanon, the workshop trained 30 staff in prison settings, including officers and guards, under the theme ³Respect for Prisoners¹ Dignity².
In her opening address, Life and Service Unit director emphasized the importance of prisons reform and implementation of Human Rights as indicators of Democracy and Justice in exercise, qualifying the synchronization of services provided by different ministries as an imperative in the process of change in prisons.
The Human Rights Institute director underlined the importance of collective community efforts for the promotion of adequate prison conditions, whereas ISF representative highlighted difficulties, positive achievements and future perspectives, and the importance of prisoners¹ reintegration into th e society.
Other topics addressed included the understanding of reintegration, prisoners¹ rights according to international instruments; human rights as instruments of change; UN conventions on prisoners¹ health rights; role of medical staff in the prisons in preventing disease, torture, and improving hygiene conditions; standards for special groups as children and women; international human rights standards for the prevention of torture and use of force in prisons. ²
Group discussions focused on strategy formulation for future work. Participants recommended networking, sharing of financial and human resources; data collection and analysis; awareness raising and advocacy wer e proposed as methodologies for improving prison conditions. A core group wil l follow up on the recommendations and establish relationships with the concerned ministries to plan and collaborate together to coordinate prison services in the best way possible, and build a national networking system t o bring NGOs and civil society organizations together to work with prison authorities in meeting prisoners¹ medical, physical, and psychosocial needs .
An evaluation of the workshop indicated its fruitfulness, considering it an important step towards public awareness on prison conditions and advocacy for prisoners¹ rights. A certificate was issued to each participant by the end of the workshop. For more information, kindly contact Unit Director at: meccls@cyberia.net.lb
Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
+961-1-353-938 http://www.mec-churches.org/