A/HRC/22/53/Add.4 Uganda (a) JAL 09/03/2012 Case No. UGA 1/2012 State reply: 08/05/2012 Alleged dangerously unhealthy conditions of detention and lack of medical care in Ugandan prisons. 142. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Uganda for its response, dated 8 May 2012, to the joint letter of allegation regarding the alleged dangerously unhealthy conditions of detention in Ugandan prisons, including the lack of medical care, overcrowding, spread of communicable diseases, poor hygiene and provision of food with low nutritional value. In its reply, the Government of Uganda acknowledged that detention conditions in Ugandan prisons still fall short of both internationally and nationally prescribed standards, however, notes the progress being taken to address these conditions. The Government predicts that they are likely to contain congestion levels to acceptable and tolerable limits within the next five years, and attributes the inadequate prison conditions to a general lack of financial resources. Despite the Government‟s constraints on resources, the Special Rapporteur reiterates that the Committee against Torture and the Human Rights Committee have consistently found that conditions of detention can amount to inhuman and degrading treatment. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur reminds the Government of Rule 22(2) of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which provides that, “[s]ick prisoners who require specialist treatment shall be transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals. Where hospital facilities are provided in an institution, their equipment, furnishings and pharmaceutical supplies shall be proper for the medical care and treatment of sick prisoners, and there shall be a staff of suitable trained officers.” Further, Rule 20(1) provides that “[e]very prisoner shall be provided by the administration at the usual hours with food and nutritional value adequate for health and strength, of wholesome quality and well prepared and served.” The Special Rapporteur encourages the Government of Uganda to continue its engagement with the mandate and to submit information relating to future progress made to ensure that all prisoners or detainees‟ right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is realized. United Arab Emirates (a) UA 15/08/2012 Case No. ARE 6/2012 State reply: None to date Alleged arbitrary detention, solitary confinement, and torture of Syrian national residing in the U.A.E. 143. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of the United Arab Emirates has not responded to this communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate established by the Human Rights Council. The communication referred to the alleged arbitrary detention, solitary confinement, and torture of Mr. Musab Al-Abood, a Syrian national residing in the United Arab Emirates, for his alleged links with the Syrian rebellion. In light of the fact that no evidence has been provided to the contrary, the Special Rapporteur expresses his conviction that the practice of the Government has been in breach of the international standards prohibiting torture and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which the United Arab Emirates acceded on 19 July 2012. The Special Rapporteur reiterates the call for the Government to provide information concerning the arrest and detention of Mr. Al-Abood, provide results of any investigation, medical examinations, and judicial or other inquiries carried out, and report on the measures taken to ensure the safety and physical integrity of Mr. Al-Abood. 79