When we talk about the worrying situation of the central prison of Beni, located in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an alarming observation emerges: since the beginning of the year, at least 120 inmates have lost their lives in this penitentiary establishment. These figures, revealed during a workshop organized by the MONUSCO sections, highlight a painful and unacceptable reality.
The director of the prison, Tsongo Makelele, points to prison overcrowding as one of the main causes of this dramatic situation. With an initial capacity of 250 inmates, the Beni prison now has a prison population of 1,500 individuals, thus causing deplorable living conditions for prisoners. This endemic overcrowding seriously compromises the dignity of prisoners, exposing them to increased risks in terms of health, security and well-being.
To address this humanitarian crisis, Tsongo Makelele advocates for the decongestion of the prison and requests the urgent intervention of the judicial authorities to speed up the processing of prisoners’ files. He also stresses the importance of considering conditional release measures for certain prisoners, in order to alleviate prison overcrowding and improve detention conditions.
In this delicate context, the intervention of humanitarian partners such as UNFPA is of crucial importance. Fiston Biatanga, Head of the UNFPA Office in Beni-Butembo and Lubero, is committed to strengthening medical assistance to sick prisoners and improving the prison’s health infrastructure. UNFPA, an expert in the field of gender-based violence and sexual health, is thus providing essential support to guarantee quality care for prisoners and prevent health risks.
In short, Beni Central Prison represents a microcosm of the major challenges facing the Congolese prison system. Beyond the alarming death toll, the human dignity and fundamental rights of prisoners are at stake. It is imperative that the authorities take concrete measures to resolve this humanitarian crisis and ensure dignified and respectful treatment for all prisoners. Solidarity and collective action remain the best weapons to fight against the injustice and inhumanity that are rife in the corridors of Beni prison.