Kinshasa, 22 June 2009 - MONUC appeals to the government for the urgent application of measures, over the whole country, in order to improve prison conditions and to reinforce security in the prisons, especially those relating to the protection of women against sexual violence, in order to avoid a repetition of the tragedy which occurred in Goma prison.

On the night of 21-22 June, Muzenze central prison in Goma was the scene of a mutiny followed by a violent escape bid. The mutineering prisoners succeeded in entering the women's section, where they held and raped approximately 20 women.

During the escape bid, two grenades were launched by the prisoners against the police officers and guards, and a police officer and a prisoner were killed and 12 prisoners wounded.

Despite the use of violence, no prisoner escaped. The Congolese National Police and the DRC Armed Forces reinforced security outside the prison. MONUC's North Kivu brigade immediately started a security operation in the zone and conducted patrols all night.

MONUC coordinated the assistance for the women victims involved, and firmly condemns this violent escape bid which caused innocent victims among the police force. It invites the judiciary to act in an exemplary way against the authors of this act.

Considering that the increase in mutinies and escape bids from the prisons is partly due to the recurring lack of food and healthcare for prison inmates around the country, as well as the absence of an efficient prison policy, MONUC launches an appeal to the authorities to start a reform of the prison system in order to conform to internationally recognised standards as regards treatment of prisoners, in particular the strict separation of men and women on the one hand, and civilians and military on the other.

Within the limits of its capacities, MONUC is ready to help the government to set up durable reforms of the prison system.