39
111.
In this context, and after receiving information from various sources, 128
the IACHR spoke out on the practice of “Coliseo” at the Uribana Prison in its press releases
110/10 and 14/11. In those press releases, the IACHR deplored these acts of violence
consisting of violent confrontations planned by inmates to “settle accounts”; they are
organized and directed by the chiefs of the criminal organizations that control that prison
(“pranes”). According to the codes established by the inmates themselves, in these
struggles the use of knives or blades is allowed, as well as injuring the opponent on certain
parts of the body. As of the date of the press release (November 2010) this aberrant
practice had already left a total of four deaths and more than 100 wounded. These
confrontations take place in the presence of the State agents entrusted with the security of
129
the prison, and are a matter of public knowledge.
112.
The IACHR considers the existence of such practices unacceptable, and
they constitute a clear breach of the State’s duty to create the conditions necessary for
preventing brawls among inmates. 130 In addition, they constitute a breach of the
fundamental duty of the State to maintain order and security in the prisons.
113.
From 2004 to the date of this report, the IACHR has consistently reported
grave acts of violence in the following countries of the region: 131 Brazil (in relation to the
Urso Branco Prison, the Raimundo Vidal Pessoa Provisional Detention Center, and the
events in May 2006 in the city of Sao Paulo in which there were more than 70 riots in
different prisons, and many other acts of violence); 132 El Salvador (La Esperanza “La
Mariona”, Sonsonate, and Cojutepeque prisons); 133 Dominican Republic (Higüey Prison); 134
Guatemala (31st Police Station of the National Civilian Police of Escuintla, Pavón and
Pavoncito Prisons, Canadá Farm, and the Mazatenango Preventive Center); 135 Honduras
(National Penitentiary of Támara and San Pedro Sula Prison); 136 Venezuela (the following
��
128
This matter was initially brought before the IACHR in the Public hearing on Citizen Security, Prisons,
Diversity, and Sexual Equality in Venezuela, 140º Ordinary Period of Sessions, Participants: Foro por los Derechos
Humanos y la Democracia (Justicia y Proceso Venezuela), Control Ciudadano, DIVERLEX and Una Ventana a la
Libertad, October 29, 2010. Information on this matter was also received from other organizations such as
Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones; moreover, this practice of the “Coliseo” has been widely covered by the
local press in the state of Lara.
129
IACHR, Press Release Washington, D.C., November 9, 2010; and IACHR, Press Release 14/11 – IACHR
reiterates need to prevent acts of violence in Venezuelan prison. Washington, D.C., February 22, 2011.
130
See, I/A Court H.R., Case “Juvenile Reeducation Institute” V. Paraguay. Judgment of September 2,
2004. Series C No. 112, para. 184. In this case the Court concluded that in the context of brawls among inmates,
even though state agents are not the ones who directly produce the injuries or death of the prisoners, the
international responsibility of the state is triggered when it clearly breaches its duty to prevent such incidents.
131
The press releases of the IACHR organized by year are available at the section for the Press Office of
the IACHR, available at: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/media_center/press_releases.asp.
132
IACHR Press Releases 13/04 and 114/10.
133
IACHR Press Releases 16/04 and 52/10.
134
IACHR Press Release 6/05.
135
IACHR Press Releases 32/05 and 53/08.
136
IACHR Press Releases 2/06 and 20/08.
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