The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva, has said that there is a lack of adequate legal aid services for vulnerable prisoners, especially women.

Otunbayeva emphasized in a meeting with the head of the Office of Prison Administration that all prisoners have fundamental rights and these rights must be respected to the fullest extent.

She also welcomed the continued commitment of the Office of Prison Administration to ensure UN’s human rights teams have the necessary access to prison facilities across the country, including those housing female detainees.

Otunbayeva said that the high volume of arrests and lengthy custodial sentences imposed by the IEA’s judicial authorities place unsustainable pressure on prison facilities.

Based on UNAMA’s statement, the officials of the Office of Prison Administration said in the meeting that the number of prisoners in Pul-e-Charkhi prison, which is home to more than 5,000 inmates, is increasing.

They also called for greater UN assistance to prisoners, especially in the areas of healthcare and nutrition, and education and vocational training to improve the prospects of livelihoods.