PRESS RELEASE

Nº 35/06 

INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN OVER THE PRISON SITUATION IN BOLIVIA

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its profound concern over the prison situation in Bolivia.

According to reports received by the IACHR, in the past few days, approximately 8,000 imprisoned individuals of both sexes confined in 19 Bolivian prisons have launched a strike demanding, among other things, enforcement of the new Criminal Procedures Code to expedite the processing of their legal cases. Reportedly, protest measures have included burials up to the neck, voluntary hunger strikes by women and their children, crucifixions, bloodletting and sewing of the mouth.

In view of the gravity of this information, the Inter-American Commission calls on the State of Bolivia to take all measures in its power to ensure the life and personal integrity of people deprived of their liberty, from the standpoint of respect for human rights and the relevant international standards.

Washington, D.C., October 19, 2006