HISTORIC DECISION ALLOWS PRISONERS TO ATTEND CLOSE FAMILY FUNERALS

If there are no compelling reasons to deny them the right, prisoners detained in custody are now permitted to attend the funerals of close relatives.

This move comes in response to a case brought by former journalist Moses Dola, who was given a 10-year prison term in 2018 for the murder of his wife.

He then talked about his mother's passing, when he was refused permission to attend her funeral, which he considered a breach of his fundamental rights and freedoms as a prisoner.

According to the decision, "A declaration be and is hereby issued that all sentenced and pre-trial detainees held in custody have the right to be treated humanely which right includes permitting them to attend funerals and burials of their close family members unless there are compelling reasons for declining granting of permission."

The State is to create rules that specify which prisoners will not be allowed to attend funerals in the following six months, according to the court's subsequent directive.