Guinea-Bissau: visit to detained president and prime minister

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On 18 April, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited Interim President Raimundo Preira and Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior, who were detained following the upheaval that occurred in Guinea-Bissau on 12 April. The ICRC had already provided medicines for Mr Gomes during a previous visit which took place on 14 April.

"When we visit detainees, we observe the conditions in which they are being held and the treatment they are receiving," said Christophe Tinguely, the ICRC delegate who made the visits. "As we do everywhere else in the world where we perform these tasks, we discuss our findings confidentially with the detaining authorities."

The detainees were provided with medical supplies, clothing and hygiene items. In addition, they were given the opportunity to send news to their close relatives. The ICRC is pursuing dialogue with the authorities in charge with a view to visiting others who may have been arrested in connection with last week's events.

The ICRC has been working since 1998 in Guinea-Bissau, where it brings protection and assistance to people who have been adversely affected by various situations of violence.