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In September 2008, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) started a medical and nutritional emergency intervention in the civilian prison of Guéckédou in southeastern Republic of Guinea. Upon arrival, MSF found malnutrition in one in three adult male prisoners, with one in five suffering severe malnutrition.

Appalling hygienic conditions had led to dehydration and rampant skin and respiratory infections. Overcrowded cells found both minors together with adults and prisoners with tuberculosis together with other inmates.

Based on observations from our work in Guéckédou and assessments in several other prisons, MSF has concluded that the appalling conditions observed in the Guéckédou prison are unfortunately not an isolated case.

In a report released today, MSF has chosen to speak out to expose the urgent medical and nutritional needs we have witnessed in our work in Guéckédou and elsewhere.

These dire humanitarian needs demand an immediate response. A short-term emergency intervention by a humanitarian organization such as MSF cannot be the solution to pervasive and more structural dysfunctions in penitentiary administration as regards food distribution and maintenance of hygiene conditions. Deprivation of food, water, minimal living conditions and other basic needs is life-threatening and tantamount to ill-treatment of prisoners.

Guinean national authorities bear the ultimate responsibility to uphold the fundamental human rights of its inhabitants, including its incarcerated population. National and local authorities must act immediately to meet the basic needs of prisoners in accordance with international and national standards. International donors and other actors intervening in Guinea must respond to ensure basic needs for prisoners, as their lives and health hang in the balance.

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