United Nations Radio

Fresh from a visit to Equatorial Guinea at the invitation of the government, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture told journalists he found torture rife in the West African nation, and was recommending a overhaul of law enforcement.

In the course of his 10 day visit to Equatorial Guinea, Manfred Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, found that torture was systematically used by police forces against prisoners of all stripes.

Mr. Nowak said there were all kinds of beatings, and electrical shocks as well, all corroborated by medical evidence.

NOWAK: In Malabo, for instance, we were told by detainees that they use these starter cables. They said you just have to look at the blue and the blue box was a battery with starter cables with these alligator clips that you put so whoever has already that hurts quite a lot, even without electricity. And we found this cast of persons who and then of course they can start how many volts you want in order to use it as electric shock equipment. We found these torture instruments, so we had really the kind of evidence that you need allegations corroborated by medical evidence and by finding the description of exactly as they have described it, and even the torture instruments.

Diane: Such torture in police facilities, like torture everywhere, takes place behind closed doors. But Mr. Nowak and his team were not allowed access to military facilities, despite prior agreement by the government.

NOWAK: For instance, despite the promises I was not allowed any access to military detention facilities, despite of course allegations of torture and also secret detentions in military barracks. And we had threats by the military but also even by entering normal police stations we were actually received at gunpoint and told we should walk away. So it was a difficult mission in terms of security and access to detention facilities.

DIANE: The conditions in the cells Mr. Nowak did visit, he said, were appalling, and inmates were often held for long periods.

NOWAK: It means that people are locked up in cells without anything. That means on the concrete floor without any kind of bedding or sheets, but also without any kind of sanitary facilities, without any food or water. But not just for the 24 hours allowed under law, which could be extended for 72 hours. But we found people there for weeks and months.

DIANE: What's more, the cells were dirty, humid, and inmates were provided with neither food nor any sanitary facilities.

NOWAK: So in practice the family actually brings a bottle with water, the detainee drinks the water and then has to use the same bottle to urinate and then they put the bottle just outside the cell. But the family also brings a plastic bag with some food, which they have to use to defecate in front of the others. You have 14 people in the same cell, nobody is allowed outside the cell to go to the toilet, even toilets don't exist.

(duration: 4'03")