UN High Commissioner Reports Deteriorating DRC Prison Conditions

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has condemned the deteriorating prison conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where overcrowding, torture, and sexual violence are rampant. Recent reports indicate that prisons like Makala Central, designed for 1,500 inmates, are holding over 15,000, leading to violent incidents, including a mass escape attempt that resulted in the deaths of at least 129 individuals. Türk criticized the government's decision to lift a moratorium on executions, which has led to the sentencing of 128 people to death, urging authorities to abolish the death penalty. Additionally, he highlighted the plight of detainees in intelligence-run facilities, where abuses are reportedly common. Despite promises from President Felix Tshisekedi to reform the detention system since 2019, significant issues persist, with independent inspections often denied. The international community is called to act against the backdrop of escalating violence and human rights violations in the country.