The two officials visited the towns of Kisangani, Dungu, Mahagi, Bunia, Faradje and Goma, where with local authorities and human rights activist they discussed existing problems with but also ways to boost respect for human rights.

“We are able on this tour to look at the problems facing state and non-state actors in protecting human rights. We had extremely positive discussions exploring strategies to remedy some of those situations,” Mr Upio Kakura said.
“In the human rights situation in Oriental Province is not the same as in North Kivu, but the structural problems are the same,” Mr. Howland noted.

“There was administrative and police harassment occurring here and there, but we particularly deplored the prison conditions. Wherever we went, we found the prisons were in a terrible state and there was a lot to do to improve living conditions for prisoners,” he said.

Mr. Howland said some of the problems facing prisons include overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure, lack of food and health care and lengthy waits before a case reaches trial. “In other countries, perpetrators of minor offences perform community-based services, [pursuant to court orders]. This can contribute to resolving the problem of prison overpopulation. In developed countries, not all cases need coming up before a judge,” noted Mr. Howland, suggesting a need to urgently reform of the Congolese justice system.
“That is a possibility,” the DRC Human Rights Minister said but added, “The laws would need first to be changed.”
But the DRC justice system is also known to be plagued with impunity. On this issue, Mr. Upio Kakura said: “We are waiting for the new National Commission of Human Rights to start working. There is a law to that effect now under consideration within the National Assembly. Additionally, we need to continue and intensify sensitization on the need to respect for human rights; which is an obligation laid down in the Constitution. The fight against impunity is an essential condition for bringing about respect for human rights.”

For MONUC, “It is very important that the Congolese population should get involved and demand that the government take action. That is what they did in Mahagi where the population chased out a judge for corruption”.

Another concern is the need to ensure protection for children. “Some magistrates do not seem well acquainted with the new laws on child protection and so we have agreed with MONUC to organize a seminar on this subject,” the Minister said.
The minister expressed his wish to extend cooperation with MONUC to other actors. “It is important to create frameworks for consultation between the government, MONUC, and civil society actors,” he said. “We plan to make further joint visits to other parts of the country. My wish is for this collaboration to be further enhanced.”