In the current public health crisis, persons deprived of liberty are exposed to greater health risks. The present situation exacerbates existing situations of vulnerability of a population already disproportionately suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, cardio-vascular conditions, or immunodeficiency. A pandemic situation such as this one forces monitoring bodies to think differently in order to continue fulfilling their mandate in alternative ways, while respecting the principle of Do no harm.
In APT´s first podcast episode, Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, Programme Manager, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs & Prison Health, WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD Office) shared WHO´s practical guidances and recommendations for monitors, detaining authorities and detainees on how to prevent and contain the spread of the virus and at the same time, adhering to international human rights principles. This episode constitutes the first part of the series on "The Do No Harm Principle and Detention Monitoring : From Theory to Practice".
To learn more about the WHO guidances mentioned in this podcast, please visit the following link:
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-determinants/prisons-and-health/focus-areas/prevention-and-control-of-covid-19-in-prisons-and-other-places-of-detention