Human Rights workshop held on torture and death in the DRC’s prisons and detention cells

Kinshasa, 27 October 2009 - A one day workshop was held today in Kinshasa with the theme “the Congolese justice system and the problem of death and torture in detention.” The aim of the workshop was to discuss the prevailing situation in the DRC’s prisons and detention cells, with a view to proposing future solutions.

The workshop, which had approximately 40 participants, focused on issues such as the Government’s responsibility to prevent torture and death in detention; the issue of torture and death within the judicial framework; challenges for prison authorities with regard to torture and death of inmates; and medical issues arising out of inappropriate detention conditions and lack of medical care.

As well as the United Nations joint Human Rights office in the DRC, other participants and speakers at the workshop came from the Appeals Court, the Public Prosecutors’ office, the Supreme Court, the Justice Ministry, the DRC prison service and human rights organisations.

Jean Marie Bouaka, Deputy Director of the Joint United Nations Human Rights Office in the DRC said that “torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, is one of the crucial issues in the places of detention as well as during the procedures by Judicial Police officers.”

He added that these acts are sometimes perpetrated in all impunity by the persons responsible for the application of the law, and the judicial response remains incomplete.

The DRC, although having ratified the United Nations Convention against Torture, has not taken express legislative measures aimed at penalizing those who commit torture. Numerous victims await justice and compensation that is guaranteed to them by the Constitution.

Jena Marie Bouaka said that the workshop is going to “allow us to examine the resources from which the Congolese judicial system can fulfill the constitutional obligation to the rights of its citizens, and to meet the legitimate expectations of justice efficiently.”

Following introductory speeches, the workshop was later divided into three working groups focusing on: improving the legislative framework for the prevention and repression in relation to torture and death in detention; legal issues in relation to detention, the responsibility of the justice authorities and civil society; and health, hygiene and food in detention - a collective responsibility?