[Statement] Government needs to act urgently to mitigate what could be a catastrophe inside the country’s overcrowded prisons before it’s too late -HRW

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Quote from HRW on the outbreak of coronavirus inside the Quezon City Jail:

Finding that the coronavirus has infected 18 inmates and personnel at the Quezon City Jail shows why it’s so critical the government actively pursues early release of detainees charged with low-level, nonviolent offenses, as well as the sick and older inmates. The government needs to act urgently to mitigate what could be a catastrophe inside the country’s overcrowded prisons before it’s too late.

Phil Robertson
Deputy Asia Director
Human Rights Watch

Philippines: Reduce Crowded Jails to Stop COVID-19 | Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/06/philippines-reduce-crowded-jails-stop-covid-19

Asia: Reduce Prison Populations Facing COVID-19 | Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/06/asia-reduce-prison-populations-facing-covid-19

Injustice and misery in PH jails | Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/03/08/injustice-and-misery-ph-jails

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