The Special Commission fighting against prison overpopulation in Kinshasa: Revelations and issues

Fatshimetrie, the information platform at the heart of Congolese news, recently highlighted the actions of the Special Commission responsible for relieving congestion in Kinshasa’s penitentiary centers. A key player in this crucial process, the Commission recently presented its report to the Minister of Justice, Rose Mutombo, highlighting efforts to address prison overcrowding in the region.

Led by the President of the Commission, Kibamba Moke Justin, also President of the Court of Cassation, the team worked tirelessly to examine the files of civil and military defendants and detainees. The report reveals that more than 1,700 individuals were released, a significant measure but which does not completely resolve the problem of overpopulation, while the Kinshasa Penitentiary Reeducation Center currently has more than 14,000 inmates.

Beyond the results obtained, the Commission underlined the need for continued effort in this area, pleading for the regular implementation of such initiatives, as well as for the construction of new penitentiary establishments to deal with this alarming situation.

However, obstacles were encountered along the way, notably due to the shortage of magistrates in Kinshasa, which led to delays in the delivery of decisions. These difficulties were reported to the Minister of Justice, who was called upon to act quickly to remedy them.

Furthermore, President Félix Tshisekedi had previously asked the minister to work in collaboration with the Superior Council of the Magistracy to discourage untimely arrests and guarantee compliance with deadlines in the processing of cases, a crucial issue to avoid delays. in the justice system.

This initiative by the Special Commission reinforces previous calls regarding inhumane detention conditions in Congolese prisons, highlighted in particular by observers such as Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala during his visit to Makala central prison.

In short, the report presented by the Special Commission constitutes an important step in efforts to relieve congestion in Kinshasa’s penitentiary centers, but it calls for continued action and strengthened collaboration between judicial authorities to guarantee fair justice that respects rights. fundamentals of all individuals involved in the Congolese prison system.