garanco – International Bridges to Justice http://www.ibj.org Access to Justice for All Tue, 14 May 2024 10:14:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://www.ibj.org/wp_main/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-IBJ-Site-Icon-32x32.jpg garanco – International Bridges to Justice http://www.ibj.org 32 32 DRCBJ’s Glimmer of Hope http://www.ibj.org/2022/12/drcbjs-glimmer-of-hope-2/ Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:40:34 +0000 https://www.ibj.org/?p=34653
]]> 28 wrongfully detained prisoners in the DRC freed http://www.ibj.org/2022/11/young-boy-finds-justice-after-being-detained-without-legal-representation-2-2-2/ Thu, 17 Nov 2022 13:11:46 +0000 https://www.ibj.org/?p=33765

IBJ helps free 28 wrongfully detained prisoners in Democratic Republic of Congo

IBJ helps free 28 wrongfully detained prisoners in Democratic Republic of Congo

Imprisonment can be life-threatening in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prisons are often overcrowded with many reaching over 200 per cent over capacity. As a result, detainees are faced with food shortages, neglected sanitation systems, and widespread violence.

Imprisonment can be life-threatening in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prisons are often overcrowded with many reaching over 200 per cent over capacity. As a result, detainees are faced with food shortages, neglected sanitation systems, and widespread violence.

In the past few months, Democratic Republic of Congo Bridges to Justice lawyers traveled to prisons in rural areas, far away from the main courts. During the visits to these rural prisons, our lawyers found 16 people who were illegally detained, including 4 women, 10 men, and 2 children. Most of them did not even know why they had been arrested. While law in the Democratic Republic of Congo prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, state security forces routinely arrest and detain citizens without giving reason. Detainees who cannot pay for a lawyer are rarely able to access legal counsel. Moreover, it is estimated that between 70 and 80 percent of the prison population is in pre-trial detention. Our lawyers took on the cases of these 16 people and obtained their release. They are now reunited with their families.

In the past few months, Democratic Republic of Congo Bridges to Justice lawyers traveled to prisons in rural areas, far away from the main courts. During the visits to these rural prisons, our lawyers found 16 people who were illegally detained, including 4 women, 10 men, and 2 children. Most of them did not even know why they had been arrested. While law in the Democratic Republic of Congo prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, state security forces routinely arrest and detain citizens without giving reason. Detainees who cannot pay for a lawyer are rarely able to access legal counsel. Moreover, it is estimated that between 70 and 80 percent of the prison population is in pre-trial detention. Our lawyers took on the cases of these 16 people and obtained their release. They are now reunited with their families.

Our lawyers' work was not done. During the same period, they traveled to Kalehe Central Prison to inform prisoners on their rights while detained. 58 people - 44 men, 8 children and 6 women (two of whom were pregnant) - attended the awareness session. While it is protocol for authorities to inform those arrested of their rights and the reason for their arrest, security officials routinely violate these requirements. Our lawyers inform detainees that they have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and that being imprisoned does not negate their basic human rights. Knowing the essential elements of their legal rights empowers prisoners to better defend themselves while incarcerated.

Our lawyers' work was not done. During the same period, they traveled to Kalehe Central Prison to inform prisoners on their rights while detained. 58 people - 44 men, 8 children and 6 women (two of whom were pregnant) - attended the awareness session. While it is protocol for authorities to inform those arrested of their rights and the reason for their arrest, security officials routinely violate these requirements. Our lawyers inform detainees that they have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and that being imprisoned does not negate their basic human rights. Knowing the essential elements of their legal rights empowers prisoners to better defend themselves while incarcerated.

After the session, 20 prisoners immediately requested aid from the DRCBJ lawyers for their case. Without delay, our lawyers retrieved their documents from the courts, and requested further review. They were able to prove that 12 of the prisoners were illegally detained, and obtained their release.

After the session, 20 prisoners immediately requested aid from the DRCBJ lawyers for their case. Without delay, our lawyers retrieved their documents from the courts, and requested further review. They were able to prove that 12 of the prisoners were illegally detained, and obtained their release.

These are just a couple of examples of IBJ's transformative work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thousands of the country's citizens remain trapped in broken prison systems, often suffering harsh conditions, including torture. Our work spans across the globe and is pivotal in transforming how prisoners are treated while detained. Join us as we transform the justice system to be fair for every man, woman and child in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With your support, International Bridges to Justice can continue to shine light in places where all seems dark and hopeless. Where there is a defender, there is hope.

These are just a couple of examples of IBJ's transformative work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thousands of the country's citizens remain trapped in broken prison systems, often suffering harsh conditions, including torture. Our work spans across the globe and is pivotal in transforming how prisoners are treated while detained. Join us as we transform the justice system to be fair for every man, woman and child in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With your support, International Bridges to Justice can continue to shine light in places where all seems dark and hopeless. Where there is a defender, there is hope.

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