NEWS- A Ugandan lawyer Steven Kalali has dragged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the East African Court of Justice, alleging severe human rights violations within the country’s Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa.
Kalali states overcrowding, sexual violence against female inmates and physical abuses among other violations mented to inmates by the DRC Government .
Kalali contends in his lawsuit that the poor living conditions of Makala prisoners breach the East African Community (EAC) Treaty and other international human rights laws.
The case, submitted to the First Instance Division in Arusha, Tanzania, aims to hold the DRC accountable as an EAC Partner State.
Kalali’s case follows reports of a jailbreak attempt on September 2nd / 2024, at Makala Prison, where 129 escapees lost their lives after DRC forces used live ammunition on unarmed inmates.
Kalali further quotes a UN report which states that the Makala prison was built to accommodate only 1,500 inmates but at the time of the unfortunate incident, the facility was holding around 14,000 prisoners.
Kalali says this level of overcrowding blatantly disregards human dignity, violating Article 7(2) of the EAC Treaty, which mandates adherence to international standards.
Kalali’s also highlights disturbing incidencies of sexual violence stating 269 out of 348 female prisoners were raped as per the findings of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Kalali argues this failure to ensure the safety of female inmates is a violation of international agreements on women’s rights as well as the restricted access to legal and civil support following the attempted escape since legal representatives and civil organisations have been denied access to detainees ever since the botched escape .
Kalali further states that in Makala prison, minors are detained with adults , something he claims endangers young detainees and breaches international standards.
Kalali now asks the East African Court of Justice to order the DRC improve its prison conditions, compensate the affected inmates after a declaration the nation of breaching the East African Treaty.
Kalali is hopeful that the outcome of his petition will set an important precedent, influencing prison management and human rights practices across the region.
This is not the first time Lawyer Kalali is fighting for rights of prisoners as in 2020 he successfully sued the Attorney General to allow inmates vote.
