CAIRO, June 30, 2026 (SUNA) — Sudan participated in the 23rd Arab Conference of Heads of Penal and Correctional Institutions, held in Cairo on June 29, 2026, under the patronage of Minister of Interior of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Major General Mahmoud Tawfik. Sudan was represented by a delegation from the Ministries of Interior and Justice headed by Director-General of the Prison Forces, Lt. Gen. (Police) Yassir Omar Abu Zeid; Director of the Khartoum State Prison Forces; Maj. Gen. (Police) Dr. Taj Al-Sir Babiker Sir Al-Khatim and Legal Adviser Buthaina Mohamed Al-Tayeb Al-Tom of the Ministry of Justice’s Human Rights Directorate. The conference was preceded by a workshop on advancing healthcare services provided to inmates of penal and correctional institutions within the framework of human rights, as well as a field visit to a correction and rehabilitation center. The opening session was attended by Assistant Minister of Interior for the Community Protection Sector of the Arab Republic of Egypt and President of the Conference, Maj. Gen. Dr. Hossam Abdel Aziz, together with senior representatives of the Ministries of Interior and Justice of the member states of the League of Arab States.  The Director-General of the Prison Forces stated that Sudan’s participation reflects its firm belief in the importance of Arab integration and the exchange of expertise in the field of correction and rehabilitation. He added that the Sudanese Prison Forces have made significant progress in developing the correctional system through specialized educational and rehabilitation programs designed to reform inmates and prepare them for successful reintegration into society as productive and active members upon completion of their sentences. He affirmed the Prison Forces’ commitment to benefiting from the expertise of sister Arab countries and unifying visions to address common challenges in a manner that enhances the effectiveness of penal institutions and contributes to achieving community security and the desired stability.He also reaffirmed the commitment to continuing institutional development and remaining open to the latest advances in correctional work. For her part, Legal Adviser Buthaina Mohamed Al-Tayeb of the Ministry of Justice presented an overview of Sudan’s international obligations and the relevant conventions to which the country is a party. She also reviewed the national legislation governing prison administration and its compatibility with the international human rights conventions. She affirmed that Sudan possesses legislation that safeguards the dignity and rights of inmates, noting that healthcare for prisoners in Sudan is governed by a legal framework combining the country’s international obligations with national prison legislation. She explained that Sudan is a party to numerous international treaties requiring the protection of the right to health for all individuals, including persons deprived of their liberty, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Sudan acceded to in 1986 and which stipulates that all persons deprived of their liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity. She also referred to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which obliges states to protect health and social rights without discrimination. Buthaina further highlighted the international guiding standards embodied in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), which constitute the global reference in this field and have served as the basis for Sudanese legislation. She noted that these rules require prison healthcare services to be equivalent in quality to those available in the wider community and emphasize protection against torture or cruel treatment that may adversely affect inmates’ physical and mental health.  Regarding the national legal framework governing prisons, she stated that equality, non-discrimination, and the right to health are guaranteed under the Constitutional Document, as well as by national legislation and other regulatory instruments. Foremost among these is the National Prisons Organization and Treatment of Inmates Act of 2010, which serves as the principal legislative reference and aligns Sudanese legislation with international standards for the treatment of prisoners. The law also provides special care for women—particularly pregnant and breastfeeding women—and for children accompanying their mothers in prison to ensure their safety and meet their basic needs. In concluding her remarks, Buthaina affirmed that Sudan has advanced legislation recognizing inmates’ right to healthcare, drawing its principles from Islamic Sharia as well as international treaties. Under its standing agenda item dedicated to reviewing member states’ experiences, the conference examined the experiences of three countries in addressing various challenges, complementing the valuable practical experience observed by the participating delegations during their visit to one of Egypt’s advanced correction and rehabilitation centers.  Sudan presented a specialized working paper highlighting the country’s pioneering experience in the field of penal and correctional institutions, focusing on the principal rehabilitation and vocational training programs provided to inmates in a manner that safeguards their rights and preserves their dignity within correctional institutions, in line with international conventions and agreements.BH/BH