Consular Assistance to South African Prisoners in Black Beach Prison in Equatorial Guinea

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 225

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 OF 25 FEBRUARY 2008

MR A.J LEON TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

(1) Whether the SA prisoners in Black Beach prison in Equatorial Guinea have received any Consular assistance; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether the Minister is able to indicate what their conditions of imprisonment are, if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether the SA Government is aware of allegations of torture and malnourishment of these prisoners; if not, why not; if so (i) what are the relevant details and (ii) what reports has the South African government received which indicate that the standard of treatment of any South African national currently imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea are acceptable to international norms and standard?

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the South African prisoners in Black Beach prison in Malabo have received consular assistance subject to approvals by the authorities. During 2007 the prisoners were visited on 16 March 2007 and 10 August 2007.

(2) The prisoners are confined to their cells.

(2) Following complaints by the prisoners and subsequent representations by the South African Mission in Malabo to the Government of Equatorial Guinea, the prisoners were moved from the old prison to the new Black Beach prison where conditions are considerably better.

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