E/CN.4/2001/21 page 22 Ministry of the Interior including representatives from non-governmental organizations; the Board’s commissions are, inter alia, entitled to inspect police offices with detention facilities without prior notice.” 2. Information concerning Mr. Arize Ibekwe 49. “Mr. Ibekwe died in detention awaiting trial on 3 May 2000 after having been arrested on 29 April 2000 due to alleged drug trade. Currently, criminal investigations as well as an autopsy are being performed.” 3. Information concerning Mr. Ahmed F. 50. “It is presumed that this case concerns Mr. Ahmed Fall, a Mauritanian national who died in Vienna on 19 January 1999 following his arrest based on alleged drug trade. The autopsy concluded that Mr. Fall died due to the swallowing of a parcel of narcotic drugs wrapped in plastic. In addition, the analysis stated that there was no specific basis for the assumption that Mr. Fall’s death was related to the action of another person, especially by force or ill-treatment. Thus, the Court dismissed the legal procedures initiated against the police officers who arrested Mr. Fall.” 51. “As a precautionary measure, the Ministries of the Interior and Justice issued information notes in several languages on the dangers of swallowing drugs wrapped in plastic.” 4. Comment by the Special Rapporteur 52. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Austrian authorities for the above information and wishes to be kept informed of the follow-up to Mr. Arize Ibekwe’s case. B. Canada 53. The Special Rapporteur sent the Canadian Government an ordinary communication and an urgent action concerning the situation of the Ofume family living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 1. Communication dated 31 May 2000 General practices of discrimination in Nova Scotia 54. It has been reported that Black, First Nation, Metis and Inuit persons in Halifax, Nova Scotia, suffer from various forms of systematic and institutional discrimination in the justice system, education, employment, housing, health care and social assistance: (a) Justice System: Those who seek to file cases charging racism, segregation and discrimination have difficulty obtaining legal assistance from lawyers retained by the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission; (b) Education: Blacks, First Nation, Metis and Inuits suffer from racism and discriminatory treatment in schools and universities;