Over 150 Female Prisoners Raped and Killed Amid Jailbreak
Over 150 female prisoners in Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern city of Goma were raped and burned to death during a jailbreak last week. This shocking revelation was confirmed by a spokesperson of the United Nations Human Rights Office, Seif Magango, in an interview with journalist.
According to reports, 165 female inmates were sexually assaulted by escaping male prisoners most tragically losing their lives in a fire set during the chaos of the escape. Magango noted that only between nine and 13 women managed to survive the blaze but all had also been victims of rape.
While the UN has not independently verified these details, Magango stated that the account provided by a judicial source in the DRC is considered credible. The mass escape occurred on January 27, coinciding with intense fighting between the M23 rebel alliance and Congolese government forces over control of Goma. More than 4,000 detainees reportedly fled the Muzenze prison during the incident which has left the facility “completely empty” and in ruins.
DRC communications minister, Patrick Muyaya condemned the horrific acts of violence against the female inmates, calling the situation a “barbaric crime.” He emphasized that the government denounces such acts with the utmost severity.
This tragedy is part of a broader pattern of conflict-related sexual violence that has plagued the DRC for decades. The UN’s Human Rights Office has recently reported other incidents of sexual violence, including allegations that Congolese troops raped 52 women in South Kivu, with some cases involving gang rape.
The international community is calling for urgent action in response to this latest wave of violence. Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group claiming to have captured Goma, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire following clashes that have reportedly left nearly 3,000 people dead.
As the DRC faces ongoing turmoil, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address sexual violence and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations remains paramount.
