A representative of the British Parliamentary Human Rights Group who visited Namibia in November 1979 found evidence that certain categories of detainees had been tortured. Mr. Edward Lyons, M.P., QC, stated on his return that while persons held without charge under Proclamation AG 26 did not appear to have been physically tortured, he was convinced that other detainees had received electric shock treatment. Both lawyers and clergy in Namibia accepted that this was so, he said. He had also ascertained that conditions in prison were "not very good".
In a submission to the SWA Administrator General protesting at the continued detention without trial of many SWAPO supporters, who had been denied access to anyone, including their lawyers, Mr. Lyons said that "the whole exercise means that people are intimidated from expressing sympathy for parties which may not be approved by the authorities even though they are legal in the territory". Even if the detainees were innocent they could not defend themselves because they were not told why they were being detained. Mr. Lyons demanded that the SWAPO detainees either be charged or released.
