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The Government Communications Office has issued a statement terming a Human Rights Watch report about an alleged coronavirus outbreak in Qatar’s Central Prison as false.
There have been 12 confirmed cases in the Central Prison and zero deaths. Those 12 patients were transferred immediately to a secure, purpose-built medical facility operated on-site by Hamad Medical Corporation where they have received, or continue to receive, first-class medical treatment. Two cases reached the acute phase of the illness and were transferred to a designated off-site treatment centre where they received first-class healthcare before being transferred back to the Central Prison once fully recovered.
The Human Rights Watch account is based on unfounded rumours and speculation from a small number of unverified interviews, amplifying falsehoods and irresponsibly redirecting attention away from the ongoing health response.
Since mid-March, public health and security authorities have implemented strict control measures in the Central Prison to protect inmates and limit the spread of the virus. Inmates have undergone regular health check-ups and a proactive testing programme has been carried out to monitor for new cases. Personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks have been distributed to all inmates, and personal and community spaces are sanitised on a regular basis.
In April, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued official pardons to over 500 inmates, considerably reducing Qatar’s prison population in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Qatar has regularly opened its prisons for inspection from the National Human Rights Committee and international organisations. In January 2019, a Special Rapporteur from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights visited Qatar and inspected Qatar’s prison facilities. Qatar treats anyone detained in its prisons with respect and dignity in line with international standards.
Qatar continues to combat coronavirus and has one of the lowest death rates in the world with 15 deaths recorded. To date, 4,899 patients have recovered and been released from hospital. The recovery figure is increasing by over 500 cases a day and is expected to increase further in the coming weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic, Qatar has made its priority clear – to protect the health and safety of all its citizens and residents by providing equal services to all, including those held in prisons.
There have been 12 confirmed cases in the Central Prison and zero deaths. Those 12 patients were transferred immediately to a secure, purpose-built medical facility operated on-site by Hamad Medical Corporation where they have received, or continue to receive, first-class medical treatment. Two cases reached the acute phase of the illness and were transferred to a designated off-site treatment centre where they received first-class healthcare before being transferred back to the Central Prison once fully recovered.
The Human Rights Watch account is based on unfounded rumours and speculation from a small number of unverified interviews, amplifying falsehoods and irresponsibly redirecting attention away from the ongoing health response.
Since mid-March, public health and security authorities have implemented strict control measures in the Central Prison to protect inmates and limit the spread of the virus. Inmates have undergone regular health check-ups and a proactive testing programme has been carried out to monitor for new cases. Personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks have been distributed to all inmates, and personal and community spaces are sanitised on a regular basis.
In April, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued official pardons to over 500 inmates, considerably reducing Qatar’s prison population in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Qatar has regularly opened its prisons for inspection from the National Human Rights Committee and international organisations. In January 2019, a Special Rapporteur from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights visited Qatar and inspected Qatar’s prison facilities. Qatar treats anyone detained in its prisons with respect and dignity in line with international standards.
Qatar continues to combat coronavirus and has one of the lowest death rates in the world with 15 deaths recorded. To date, 4,899 patients have recovered and been released from hospital. The recovery figure is increasing by over 500 cases a day and is expected to increase further in the coming weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic, Qatar has made its priority clear – to protect the health and safety of all its citizens and residents by providing equal services to all, including those held in prisons.
