Butembo Prison: 78 Inmates Await Appeal Reviews Amidst Prolonged Detentions

The justice system in Butembo appears to be faltering, leaving dozens of inmates in a state of prolonged uncertainty. The Network for Human Rights (REDHO) has highlighted a critical issue: 78 individuals convicted at first instance are still awaiting the examination of their appeals before the appellate court. This situation is compounded by the fact that many have been detained for over two years without proper judicial review.

Muhindo Wasivinywa, the coordinator for REDHO, expressed grave concern, stating that it is unacceptable for prisoners to spend extended periods incarcerated while their cases remain in limbo. He pointed out that some inmates are already serving sentences handed down at the first degree, even as their appeals are pending. The urgency to re-examine these dossiers by the North Kivu Military Court is paramount, as some detainees have already spent four to five years in prison despite having filed appeals.

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Some are serving the sentences pronounced at the first degree while their files are still under appeal. It is important that the Military Court of North Kivu re-examine these files.

Compounding the dire situation, REDHO also reports instances of deaths occurring within the prison in recent months. This raises serious questions about the conditions and the overall management of the correctional facility. As of now, the President of the North Kivu Military Court has not issued an official response to these alarming revelations. This ongoing situation underscores a systemic failure to ensure timely and fair judicial processes for those in custody.

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The observation is that some detainees have already spent more than four to five years in detention despite their appeals.