The Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT), Nepal has expressed condolence at the demise of renowned human rights defender and chairperson of Penal Reform International (PRI), Ahmed Othmani.

Othmani died in a car accident in the Moroccan capital of Rabat last week while on duty.

“Mr. Othmani will be remembered for his extraordinary contribution for penal reform movements all over the world and the abolition of death penalty in many countries. His sudden death is a great loss for this movement worldwide,” said Dr. Bhogendra Sharma, president of CVICT, in a press statement.

Penal Reform International (PRI) is an international non-governmental organisation, that has been launching programs for prison reforms and ensuring better conditions for prisoners in some 80 countries of the world in partnership with its associates.

The PRI has worked with the Department of Prisons, HMG/Nepal, and non-governmental organisations including CVICT, towards ensuring rights of the prisoners in the country and in developing an alternative to prison and promoting community mediation, among others, the statement said. nepalnews.com by Dec 12 04