KEY POINTS
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SADC PF will host a series of meetings to develop a regional model law on prison oversight, focusing on improving the treatment of detainees and enhancing human rights protections.
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Key issues, such as gender-based violence, food insecurity, and the health crisis in prisons, will be discussed by various committees, with input from regional experts and organizations.
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The meetings will lead to the drafting of a position paper, which will inform the development of a comprehensive model law to guide parliamentary oversight of prisons across Southern Africa.
The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, SADC PF, will be hosting a joint session of its standing committees from April 23 to 25, 2025, to develop a model law aimed at enhancing prison oversight and protecting human rights in the region.
The meetings will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, and bring together five critical committees: Democratisation, Governance, and Human Rights; Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Climate Action; Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, and Youth Development; Human and Social Development and Special Programmes; and Trade, Industry, Finance, and Infrastructure.
The sessions are a significant milestone in the SADC PF’s continued effort to improve the treatment of detainees and ensure parliamentary accountability in the prison system. SADC PF Secretary-General Boemo Sekgoma emphasized that these meetings are a step forward in strengthening the region’s ability to monitor and oversee prisons. “
The model law will harmonize the oversight process across all SADC member states, ensuring that human dignity is preserved for all detainees, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and those in pre-trial detention,” Sekgoma stated.
Addressing the prison crisis
The model law is designed to address the increasing concerns about the treatment of prisoners, particularly those in pre-trial detention, women, and children. Current statistics reveal that nearly 400,000 people are incarcerated in the SADC region, with alarmingly high numbers of pre-trial detainees.
Many countries in the region still lack effective systems for prison oversight, and existing laws often do not meet international standards.
According to Newsday Zimbabwe, the proposed model law aims to fill these gaps by providing a robust framework for prison management, legal accountability, and the protection of detainees’ rights.
The discussions will cover a variety of critical issues, including the prevention of torture, the provision of adequate food and healthcare in prisons, and the specific challenges faced by women and children in detention. Representatives from various organizations, including Just Detention International and the Centre for Child Law, will lead the discussions on sexual and gender-based violence in detention and the incarceration of children with their mothers.
