A/HRC/13/39/Add.2
67.
Gustavo Estela and Fernando Castro, both aged 35, spent two months in their
cells without going out to the patio, and they were not allowed to receive any visits. They
noted that they did not receive much water during the day, forcing them to drink from the
toilet. They both indicated that they did not receive any bread or water as a reprisal after the
visits by the Parliamentary Commissioner.
68.
Daniel Leonardo Amarante Gonzalez had been in Las Latas for eight months. He
went on a hunger strike between 1 and 11 March 2009, in an effort to be presented before a
judge. He did not receive any medical assistance until he was almost in a coma.
69.
Jorge Ever Bedoya, aged 32 (cell 211), had been in Las Latas for 2 1/2 years and
had previously been in COMCAR for eight months. He was the “aguatero”, distributing
water to 130 detainees in that sector, for two hours each day. He said that he was glad to
work, but that it was hard work and sometimes no water was available. Therefore, detainees
had to drink the water from the toilet and use plastic bags to defecate. He reported that
because the situation was so precarious in Las Latas and the stripping of the visitors was so
disrespectful, he told his mother not to visit him as it would be too dehumanizing and he
did not want his mother to see this.
70.
Paulio Francia Arau had been in Las Latas since March 2005. He was extradited
from Brazil, and was serving a 22-year prison sentence. He was allowed to go to the
courtyard only on Fridays and Saturdays. He received no visits because he was a foreigner,
and the telephone in the sector had been broken for over a year, so he could not make any
phone calls. He had hurt his hand four days before the visit, but had not received any
medical attention. He reported that he had been beaten by the guards in 2006; he suffered a
broken rib and was hit by a rubber bullet between his penis and anus. He was not taken to
see a forensic doctor until months later.
71.
Antonio Elías Arellano Vidart (cell 203) had been detained at Libertad since 1999
and was transferred to Las Latas on 29 August 2003. He was transferred to COMCAR
twice. in 2008 and 2009, and transferred once again to Libertad. He noted that the
conditions of detention at COMCAR were “ten times better” than at Libertad. According to
him, there was a complete lack of respect at Libertad. When his wife visited him, she was
forced to strip naked and the guards would do four or five vaginal searches each time. As a
result, he asked her not to visit him anymore. He also complained about the lack of water
and the fact that they could hardly ever go to the patio. He claimed that he had been beaten
and had gunshot marks on his back. He added that he had to cut himself in order to receive
medical attention. He demanded that the basic rights of the detainees be respected,
particularly those who had chronic illnesses or infections. He reported that he had been
working with a local NGO and with the Parliamentary Commissioner. Finally, he said that
he would like to work in order to have his sentence reduced.
72.
Sebastián Rodríguez Pérez (cell 202) had been at Libertad for five months, and
was previously held at Canelones penitentiary for six years. He was indicted for violent
robbery, and has been waiting for his trial for two or three years. He had not yet been
convicted. He complained about the lack of water and the need to defecate in plastic bags.
He added that he often called the guards to ask for water, but they did not come, forcing
him to cut himself so that he could drink water at the health centre. He indicated that he did
not like to cut himself, but that it was the only way that he could get any attention. He
finally added that he had not been able to leave his cell for 45 days.
73.
Washington Martín Bello Silva, aged 21 (cell 109), was sentenced to six years and
three months for violent robbery and has been detained at Libertad for seven months. He
had several self-inflicted cuts on his body. He said that he had been transferred from the
Florida penitentiary, closer to where his family lived. He added that he would like to be
transferred to a prison closer to his home so that he could see his family.
38
GE.09-17655
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