E/CN.4/2000/9 page 71 Observations 351. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government has not provided the Special Rapporteur, and through him, the Commission, with the details of the organs, nature, methodology and case details of the investigations undertaken into the numerous cases transmitted to the Government over several years. Djibouti Regular communications and replies received 352. By letter dated 3 September 1999, the Special Rapporteur informed the Government that he had received information on conditions of detention at Gabode prison in Djibouti that allegedly jeopardized the health and even the lives of prisoners there. They reportedly received little food and water and were held in overcrowded cells measuring two square metres. Many prisoners were said to be ill but a physician visited the prison only twice a month. Most prisoners, particularly those mentioned below, had been denied transfer to hospital for proper medical treatment. Abdi Houfanen Liban allegedly died on 12 March 1999 for lack of appropriate medical treatment. Mohamed Daoud Chehem was reportedly losing his sight. Kamil Mohamed Ahmed allegedly suffered from partial paralysis of the face. Haissama Idriss Hamid, Aboubaker Mohamed Ayoub and Houssein Ali Mohamed Ayoub reportedly sustained gunshot wounds. Ali Ahaw Houmed also allegedly suffered gunshot wounds and had contracted tuberculosis. Farah Ali Rirache had pneumonia and Robleh Farah Arreh, malaria. Aden Hassan Houmed is said to have suffered gunshot wounds and paralysis of the right arm. Daoud Ahmed Ali reportedly suffered gunshot wounds and partial paralysis. A number of the prisoners allegedly went on a hunger strike in June 1998 to protest their detention conditions. Ecuador Regular communications and replies received 353. By letter dated 12 October 1999, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government information on Victor Javier Icaza Olmedo. He was allegedly detained without judicial order in the city of Guayaquil on 2 February 1999 on the authority of a naval officer and by members of the Naval and Police Forces. During his transfer in a navy vehicle to the San Eduardo naval base, he was allegedly kicked and punched repeatedly. Upon arrival at the naval base he was reportedly hit in the chest and testicles. Family members and representatives of non-governmental organizations were prevented from visiting him on the day he was detained at the base. They reportedly found him at the preventive detention centre in Guayaquil on 3 February. He had allegedly not received medical treatment. On 4 February, the Sixth Criminal Court reportedly ordered the judicial police chief and an official from the preventive detention centre to release him. The order was not carried out until 7 February 1999. Following his release, Mr. Icaza Olmedo reportedly had to undergo surgery. Urgent appeals and replies received 354. On 10 March 1999, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions concerning Washington Fernando Aguirre Freile, Christian Steve Ponce and Sergel Merino, who were allegedly detained on 18 and 19 February 1999 in connection