Pope Leo calls for prison justice reform in Equatorial Guinea

Pope Leo Visits Equatorial Guinea Prison, Criticizes Conditions

During his four-nation African tour, Pope Leo visited a prison in Bata city, where he addressed inmates and expressed concerns about the conditions they face. The pope’s visit drew attention to human rights abuses and injustices that have been reported in Equatorial Guinea.

At the prison, Pope Leo told the 600 detainees, including approximately 30 women, that justice aims to protect society while promoting the dignity of every person. He also reminded authorities that incarceration is not solely meant for punishment but also for helping rebuild lives.

The pope’s visit comes as a 2023 report by the US Department of State documented cases of torture, overcrowding, and poor sanitary conditions in Equatorial Guinea’s prisons. Pope Leo was on the 10th day of his African tour, following a packed schedule that included a mass in Mongomo, near the border with Gabon.

During the service, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo attended, and the pope called for “greater room for freedom” and safeguarding human dignity. The president has been in power since 1979 and is the world’s longest-serving head of state who is not a monarch.

Pope Leo also expressed sympathy for prisoners who often face difficult living conditions. He asked that every effort be made to provide detainees with opportunities to study and work during their confinement.

Source: Al Jazeera