Kinshasa, DRC – In an effort to improve detention conditions and relieve prison congestion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba , ordered the release of 400 detainees from Makala central prison . The move is part of a broader effort to reform the country's prison system and promote human rights.
The Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba , justified this measure as being a crucial step towards social justice and the humanization of detention conditions in the DRC.
“Prison overcrowding is a critical problem that requires immediate and humane solutions, this release is an important step to guarantee respect for the rights of prisoners and to improve living conditions in our prisons.” he told the press.
This decision comes after numerous videos posted online by Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera sparked widespread criticism of the conditions of detention in this prison. The journalist himself was imprisoned in Makala for six months. It was after his release that he appeared on a TV5 news program, revealing the inhumane conditions in which the prisoners live.
Released inmates were selected based on several criteria, including the nature of their crimes, their behavior in custody, and time already served. The majority of these prisoners had been convicted of minor offenses and had already served a large part of their sentence. Some detainees, suffering from serious illnesses or medical conditions requiring urgent care, were also included in this clemency measure.
The decision was welcomed by human rights organizations and families of detainees.
“This is a step in the right direction ,” said Jean-Claude Katende, president of the African Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADHO).
“This demonstrates a desire to respect the rights of prisoners and to reform the prison system.”
However, some justice experts are calling for more structural and lasting reforms to avoid recurring problems of prison overcrowding and poor detention conditions.
“The release of these prisoners is a temporary measure. It is essential to continue working on long-term solutions, such as modernizing prison infrastructure and promoting alternatives to incarceration.” Underlines Jean-Claude Katende
Makala central prison in Kinshasa, known for its chronic overcrowding and often deplorable detention conditions, was designed in 1957 to accommodate 1,500 detainees but currently houses more than 14,000 according to the latest reports. This situation creates constant tensions and unsanitary living conditions for detainees.
The Minister of Justice assured that continued efforts will be made to improve prison infrastructure and to adopt alternative measures to incarceration, such as community service and conditional release.
Buunda Jackson
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