By M.A. Egge
The Minister of Justice of Somaliland, Hon. Yoonis Ahmed Yoonis, held a meeting with officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) focusing on prison reforms and inmates welfare.
The meeting, which saw the attendance of the Director General of the Ministry of Justice, Isma’il Suleiman Bowkah, and the departmental heads, was both orientative and exchanging of information about the projects the agency is working on with the ministry, especially the reform and development of prisons.
The DG reported on the projects implemented by the UNODC agency in the Ministry and their progress, indicating that good work is being done.
On his part the minister thanked the UNODC officials and informed them that prison reform and the care of prisoners is the ministry’s top priority and welcomed their cooperation, adding that there was a need to strengthen the work and cooperation between the ministry and the Agency for the Prevention of Crime and Combating Drugs.
He underscored the fact that the Prison Reform and Prisoner Welfare is of great importance to the ministry hence there is a need to focus on how to implement it.
For their part, officials from the UNODC welcomed the minister’s sentiments, pledging to work closely with the ministry, as well as implement projects that are important to the ministry and the country.