The State of Qatar has joined the Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules, renewing
its commitment to support the efforts of the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in improving the conditions of prisoners around
the world.
The efforts focus on more than 11mn inmates across the
globe and spring from an ambition to provide safe, secure and humane
working conditions to persons in charge of their detention.
Qatar's
ambassador to Austria Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri affirmed the
commitment of the State, in cooperation with the UNODC, to the Doha
Declaration Global Program adopted after the 13th United Nations
Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Qatar in
2015.
The program, which is funded by Qatar, supports more than 80 countries, mostly developing and least developed countries.
It
aims to reduce the scope of prison sentences, improve prison
conditions, strengthen prison administration, and support the social
reintegration of criminals following their release.
Al Mansouri
noted that, in memory of Nelson Mandela, who had spent 27 years of his
life in prison, the Doha Declaration Global Program focused specifically
on prison rehabilitation and post-release services to ensure that
prisoners are ready and able to lead a life of law following their
release.
The ambassador said that on the International Day of
Nelson Mandela, the State of Qatar hopes that the momentum generated by
the revised rules on prison reform will continue.
He also noted
that with the continued support of the Group of Friends of the Nelson
Mandela Rules, the parties will be able to join efforts in preserving
human dignity in prisons and make a real difference for prisoners,
prison staff and the whole community.
