ACHPR/37/OS/11/437 3 Introduction Dates of the visit and composition of the delegation Commissioner Dr. Vera Mlangazuwa Chirwa, Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa (a mechanism of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights), visited places of detention in Cameroon from 2-15 September 2002. The objective of the visit was to assess and document the conditions of detention in Cameroon, make immediate recommendations when necessary and initiate co-operation with the Government of Cameroon towards the improvement of prison conditions in the country. The Special Rapporteur was accompanied by: - Mr. Nega Girmachew, Legal Officer, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, - Dr. Alpha Oumar Sankarela Diallo, Physician in Chief, Security and Prison Services, Guinea, - Mr. Damien Ray, PRI - Mrs. Christine Daure, PRI - Mr. Akono Jaco, Interpreter - The ACHPR wishes to thank them for their contribution to this mission. Places Visited The delegation visited the following prisons and detention centres: 1. Yaounde Central Prison 2. Gendarmerie Nationale 3. Garoua Central Prison 4. Garoua Police Station 5. Garua Gendarmerie 6. Maroua Central Prison (Maison d’Arrêt) 7. Maroua Police Station 8. Maroua Gendarmerie 9. Douala Central Prison (New Bell) 10. Douala Police Station 11. Douala Gendarmerie 12. Bamenda Central Prison