Kinshasa, December 11th, 2025 (CPA) . – Inmates at Makala Central Prison were educated on Wednesday about human rights in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by officials from the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) during the celebration of International Human Rights Day, the CPA learned on Thursday from the institution. “On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, we, the officials of the CNDH, have come to raise your awareness of human rights,” said Paul Nsapu, president of this institution that supports Congolese democracy. « You are deprived of your freedom, but the state must ensure your safety while you are in prison. He told the inmates that if your release file is delayed, when you should be leaving your place of confinement, then one of your rights is being violated, » explained the president of the CNDH, asking them to refer their cases to his institution through a lawyer or family member for follow-up. He said he was pleased to hear that inmates at Makala Central Prison were learning a number of trades to help them reintegrate into society after prison, before urging them to remain disciplined throughout their stay in prison, which would enable prison officials and certain institutions to advocate for their release. For their part, Mr. Dido Kimbumbu and Mr. Jean-Richard Nduba, respectively rapporteur and coordinator of the standing subcommittee on civil and political rights, explained to the inmates how to apply for and receive assistance from this civic institution.
Explanation of prisoners’ conditions
Previously, the three CNDH officials, accompanied by some of their colleagues, had held a working meeting with André Kanza, director of Makala Central Prison. Mr. Kanza reviewed the efforts made so far by the prison authorities to improve prison conditions, however slightly. “The inmates are learning to make paving stones and do other farms work, including working in the pigsty,” explained André Kanza, while lamenting the overcrowding in this prison, which currently has more than 11,000 inmates, fearing that this promiscuity will lead to more diseases. The president of the CNDH-DRC reassured him that his institution would lobby partners to expand or build new wings in an attempt to resolve the overcrowding issue. He insisted on respect for human rights in the prison, before returning to the CNDH’s mission, which is to listen to prison officials and inmates in order to draw up reports with recommendations for improving prison conditions throughout the country. ACP/