Francisco Guerreiro wants Europe to ensure health of people held in detention

Lisbon, 3 April 2020 – MEP Francisco Guerreiro (PAN) signed a letter urging the European Commission and the European Council to take steps to ensure the health and well-being of prisoners in the EU and to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission in prisons.

Acknowledging that prison conditions and prison management are responsibilities of the Member States, the letter reminds the European Union that it “also has a necessary role to play in protecting the health and fundamental rights of prisoners,” especially in the current pandemic context.

Therefore, the signatories urged the President of the Commission, the President of the European Council and the Commissioner for Justice to call on national authorities to respect the prisoners’ right to health.

Among other things, they defend the right to visits and the guarantee that people in prison have “access to all necessary prevention, diagnostics and treatment services, including the ability to self-isolate under dignified conditions,” the letter states.

Read the full letter here:

Share this post