ACHPR/37/OS/11/437 8 - Mr. Marafa Mamidou Yaya, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization - Mr. Kouambo Adrien, Delegation Minister, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization - Mr. Emmanuel Oteh, Secretary of State in Charge of Penitentiary Administration, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization - Mr. Pongmoni Jean-Marie, Director of Penitentiary Administration, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization - Mr. Yene Ossomba Victor, Governor, the Province of Maroua - Mr. Baba Ngamdji, Permanent Secretary, the Governor’s Office, the Province of Maroua - Mr. Louis Eyeya Zanga, Governor, the Province of Garoua 2. NGOs A meeting was organized at Hôtel Mont Fébé with NGOs actively involved in the field of prisons and human rights. These NGOs were: Association pour le Développment et la Santé (ADS), Organisation Associative Développment [CODÉYO – OPD (OAD)], Service des Volontaires pour L’Encadrement et le Développment Intégré (SEVEDI), and ACAT-Lithoral. After recalling her mandate, the Special Rapporteur introduced the objectives of her mission in Cameroon. She stated that her mission in Cameroon was to analyze the conditions of detention in the country and to initiate a constructive and permanent dialogue with the Government with a view to the improvement of the conditions of detention in Cameroon. Thereafter, the members of the NGOs represented introduced their respective activities in the fields of prisons and protection of human rights. These NGOs enlightened the Special Rapporteur on the existing problems in prisons and on the problems faced by the Cameroonian society in general. They also spoke of the few improvements made by the authorities in collaboration with civil society. Generally, the NGOs spoke of the bad conditions of detention. In fact, according to them, prisons are still overcrowded, the prisoners’ diet is inadequate and of a poor quality, the hygienic conditions are bad and medical care insufficient. They also raised their concern at the slow pace of the administration of justice as many suspects continue to languish in detention for years waiting for judgment. The NGOs noted the political will demonstrated by the authorities to allow some NGOs access to prisons. This, however, is minimal and they suggested a wider access be granted to all NGOs and members of civil society. Nevertheless, the NGOs raised the problem of the negative image society had of prisoners and recognized their role in terms of awareness