Gabon: SOS Prisonniers Urges Action Over Detainee’s Family Contact Denial. LIBREVILLE, Gabon — The Gabonese organization SOS Prisonniers has called on the country’s procurator general to intervene in the case of Bob Mengome, a detainee whose family is being denied visits, according to the Gabonese Press Agency (AGP). Mengome has been held at the central prison in Libreville since January 19 on charges of public disturbance.
According to SOS Prisonniers Gabon, Mengome’s family has been refused visits despite a regular communication permit issued by the court.
The organization reports that on February 8, his parents were again turned away without any written explanation. They have not had news of him for several weeks.
The organization emphasizes the principle of the presumption of innocence and argues that the denial of family contact constitutes an infringement of the detainee’s fundamental rights. SOS Prisonniers Gabon is calling for urgent intervention by competent authorities to restore Mengome’s visitation and communication rights. Further details regarding the case and the response from the Gabonese authorities were not immediately available, but the situation highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees in Gabon.
SOS Prisonniers has requested that the procurator general take action to ensure that the rights of Mengome and other detainees are respected.
