E/CN.4/2000/9 page 66 Observations 315. The Special Rapporteur notes he has still not received any responses to communications he sent in 1998. The Special Rapporteur is gratified to learn of the intention of the Government to abolish the death penalty, a development consistent with the greater protection of all persons against cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Republic of the Congo Regular communications and replies received 316. By letter dated 3 September 1999, the Special Rapporteur informed the Government that he had received information on the practice of torture. The Government responded to some of the allegations by letter dated 11 November 1999. 317. The Special Rapporteur informed the Government that he had received information indicating that torture was still commonly practiced in police stations. Persons under arrest were consistently beaten. Such acts were reportedly aimed at extracting confessions which, according to the information received, are then entered in the files and accepted by the courts. The socalled Kilimandjaro method is said to be used regularly in the Brazzaville police station. It involves handcuffing someone's hands behind the back, attaching a cable to the ceiling and hanging the person by the arms while he or she is lashed with a chicote on the back and wooden bludgeons on the calves. The room where this type of torture is practiced is reportedly known by the same name. Many victims have complained of not receiving medical treatment while under arrest. A police commander has reportedly defended the use of torture on the grounds that the police lack sophisticated means of conducting their investigations. 318. Prison detention conditions are said to be extremely poor and detrimental to the health of prisoners. In addition to overcrowding and the resulting lack of ventilation, the cells are reportedly very damp, and this triggers skin diseases. The few toilet facilities that exist are allegedly in poor repair. No food is distributed to prisoners. Some, whose families have not been informed of their detention or reside at a distance, are said to remain for days without food. Little medication is available. A number of prisoners have reportedly died for lack of food or medical treatment. Not having the appropriate infrastructure, most prisons cannot separate or create several sections for prisoners. All prisoners, adults and minors, convicted and awaiting sentence, are reportedly held in detention together. The preventive detention cells in police stations are also allegedly overcrowded and unhealthy. 319. With regard to detention conditions, the Government rejected the allegations outlined above and gave the example of a central detention facility in Brazzaville which has been renovated and now provides beds, modern toilet facilities, medical treatment and social counselling. In 1998, the Government signed an agreement with Penal Reform International on the institution of community service as an alternative to incarceration. In addition, the Government pointed out that delinquent minors were detained in special education centres.