Human trafficking and human trafficking are serious problems that persist in many countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Recently, a case of kidnappings in Kinshasa shocked and terrorized the population of the Congolese capital. Faced with this situation, the non-governmental organization “The Dynamics of the Fight against Human Trafficking and Human Trafficking” (DCTH) took a stand and made an important request to the Congolese authorities.
After a trial in flagrance, the Tribunal de grande instance of Kinshasa/Gombe rendered its verdict concerning 27 kidnappers, including 4 police officers. They were found guilty of criminal association, armed robbery and murder. Some of them were sentenced to death, others to terms of main penal servitude ranging from 10 years to 2 or 5 years in prison. Fines were also imposed, as well as damages to be paid to the victims.
However, the NGO DCTH believes that the convictions and sentences imposed are not enough to guarantee the safety of the population. According to the organisation’s national coordinator, Dieumerci Kitamboau, it is essential that convicts serve their sentences in prisons located far from Kinshasa, such as Buluo (Kolwezi) or Angenga (Mongala). This measure aims to prevent any risk of recidivism and to protect the Kinshasa population.
The case of the kidnappings in Kinshasa has sown psychosis within the population, which has found itself terrified in the face of the violence and the insecurity which have manifested themselves. The acts of kidnapping perpetrated by individuals using taxi cars (Ketch) have aroused great concern and widespread distrust of this mode of transport. This situation has also raised questions about the possible involvement of larger sponsors in these crimes.
It is therefore crucial that the Congolese authorities take concrete measures to ensure the safety of the population and to punish those responsible for acts of human trafficking and human trafficking. The request of the NGO DCTH to transfer convicts to prisons far from Kinshasa is an interesting proposal that deserves to be studied and implemented in order to prevent new criminal acts and restore the confidence of the population.
The fight against human trafficking and human trafficking is an ongoing fight that requires the commitment of all relevant actors, including Congolese authorities, human rights organizations and civil society. By working together, it is possible to end these heinous crimes and ensure the safety and well-being of all Congolese citizens