Death of an inmate in Melrose: The Human Rights Commission responds

"This is one death too many in Mauritius." These were the words of the President of the Human Rights Commission, Me Satyajit Boolell, Senior Counsel, reacting to the fatal incident involving 33-year-old inmate Andy Selmour at Melrose Prison. The prisoner died on Tuesday evening following an altercation.

After the celebration of Human Rights Day held in Ebène, Me Boolell expressed his heartfelt condolences, both personally and on behalf of the Human Rights Commission, to the family of the deceased.

In nearly six months at the helm of the institution, the former DPP emphasized that the commission regularly intervenes to improve conditions in prisons and to prevent such incidents. According to him, the safety and dignity of inmates depend on various factors, including management, the relationships between guards and prisoners, and adherence to the recommendations made by the commission.

Among its recent actions, the National Human Rights Commission also reiterated its role in protecting the rights of inmates. Me Boolell highlighted: "For the first time in history, we intervened before the Court for an inmate whose sentence had been miscalculated and who had remained in prison longer than necessary. The Court granted our request, acknowledging the inmate's right to a detention that corresponds to the sentenced term."

On his part, Attorney General Me Gavin Glover, Senior Counsel, announced that the Prime Minister has already appointed the person who will chair the Constitutional Review Commission. "The full establishment of the body is underway and should be finalized before the end of the year. A bill will likely be necessary to allow the commission to commence its operations," he stated.

This commission will be tasked with modernizing the protection of all fundamental rights and proposing major reforms, including reviewing the electoral system and introducing new digital, environmental, socio-economic, and nature-related rights. He hopes that an initial interim report will be expected within six months following the establishment of the commission.

Nafiisah Peerbaye