A/HRC/45/CRP.11 will be transferred and if they will be tortured, either physically or psychologically, as happened on previous occasions”.788 340. In both Basement 1 and Basement 2, detainees reported disregard for their medical needs including respiratory illnesses and infections resulting from their conditions of detention. Interviewees suggested that restriction of family visits were used as a tool of punishment, intimidation or coercion against certain detainees. Various lawyers interviewed by the Mission reported that client visits were often hindered or fettered with high surveillance. 341. Families bringing food, medicine, drinkable water and other basic hygienic items report that the receipt of these depends on the discretion of DGCIM officers. It is usually only allowed every 15 to 20 days, but on some occasions DGCIM officers have turned away the delivery of supplies and in certain occasions allegedly stolen items. Those with families living far away depend upon the charity of their cellmates. 342. Detainees were frequently not permitted calls to their relatives, with calls sometimes limited to two minutes every two weeks. At the time of writing, the Covid-19 pandemic meant that detainees have not been authorized to receive family and legal visits in almost six months. At the time of writing, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had not had access to visit detainees in the DGCIM Boleíta. Ramo Verde 343. Upon arrival to Ramo Verde, detainees interviewed usually spent around a week in a cell called “El Tigrito”, referred to by custodians as an “adaptation” cell. It is also used for punishment purposes. The cell is dirty and dark and infested with rats. It had no bathroom facilities other than a small pot and plastic bottle. Former detainees said they received very little food while in “El Tigrito”.789 344. Detainees in Ramo Verde were subjected to intrusive, intimidating and at time violent searches by DGCIM officers (despite the fact that Ramo Verde is part of the penitentiary system), former detainees and family members interviewed explained that during these searches, DGCIM officers stole belongings, including food.790 345. The Mission has also documented a pattern of sudden transfers by DGCIM of detainees from Ramo Verde to other detention centres including La Pica, DGCIM Boleíta or DGCIM military police unit in Fort Tiuna, among others. Transfers were made without a judicial orders and without notice to lawyers or family members. 791 In these cases following the transfers, the fate and whereabouts of the individuals remained unknown for periods ranging from a few days to a few weeks.792 346. Female visitors in Ramo Verde told the Mission they were required to remove all clothing, including underwear, to be searched prior to visits. They were required to squat, bend over or jump while naked, including if they were menstruating. In at least one case, a family member said the search was filmed. Although these searches were generally carried out by guards of the same sex, the Mission was informed that on one occasion male guards attempted to perform the search. When the female family members resisted, they were denied visitation for the following four months. In one case, a detainee requested his mother to stop visiting, due to the humiliating nature of the searches. 793 788 789 790 791 792 793 Mission Interview with Molly de la Sotta in April 2020, Document C3 DD45 on file with the Mission. Mission Interview with Major Isaias Falcón in June 2020, Mission Interview with Sandra Hernandez on 24 June 2020, Mission Interview with Jesus Medina Ezaine on 27 July 2020. Mission Interview with Sandra Hernandez on 24 June 2020, Mission Interview with Jesus Medina Ezaine on 27 July 2020. Written statement made by Luis Bandres on 24 August 2019, during his detention in Ramo Verde, on file with the Mission. See cases of Major Abraham Suárez, Coronel Acevedo, and Sargeant Luis Bandres Figueroa. See cases of Major Abraham Suárez, Coronel Rommel Acevedo, Sargeant Luis Bandres Figuera, Coronel García Palomo. Mission Interview C2EE10 in June 2020; Mission Interview C3DD05; Mission interview with Lilian Tintori, 29 June 2020; Audio C3EE14 received in April 2020 on file with the Mission. 89