The conditions of the prisons in Congo are just plain hell. Here's an article written by a journalist who was jailed for six month. He survived but many other prisoners did not survive. You need the read the entire by following the link.
Congo (DRC): Journalist recalls disturbing prison ordeal
Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) - Hell. That’s how journalist Ngoy Kikungula wa Maloba sums up the hunger, fear and misery he experienced during his six months in a Congolese prison. Released a month ago, Kikungula, editor of the Lubumbashi newspaper Le Lushois, was arrested after publishing an article about Rwandan rebels advancing on the Katangan capital.
The story upset the local authorities, and he was taken to a Lubumbashi military prison, just the beginning of his ordeal. Kikungula told IWPR that his first glimpse of the other inmates and their surroundings was shocking.
“What did I see behind the door? Imps. Dirty, skinny with red and threatening eyes, almost naked, walking in a room with a repulsive odour caused by hemp smoke, cigarettes, urine, faeces and people who haven’t washed for a very long time,” said Kikungula.“It is just like hell. The only one missing is the devil, to push you inside with his fork.”
He was deposited in small room, 7 by 3 metres, packed with 120 other prisoners. As night fell, the conditions deteriorated further when a can filled with urine overflowed, soaking those who slept nearby. “There was no air. To breathe, you have to be close to the bars but to get there you have to fight,” said Kikungula.
And the next morning brought little relief. It became clear there was no food, water, medicine or access to healthcare. Inmates under escort are often forced to forage for food and drink outside the prison. The lucky few have families living nearby who can help out.
Kikungula said the visitors began arriving at noon to bring food, “One by one, women give to the soldiers the food they brought … and they give it to the person concerned. But most of the detainees have no visits, hence no food. They must satisfy themselves with crumbs left by those who have eaten.”
At 6 pm he said the prisoners were ordered to buy a plastic bag and two cigarettes.
“I’m told that we can go to the toilet only once a day, at 5 am. The guy at my left tells me that when you need to relieve yourself, you stand up and defecate in the bag. Before that, you give a cigarette to the person in front of you and to the person behind you so they won’t smell it. What a hell,” he recalled.
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