Providing Legal Assistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Responding to the needs of poor prisoners and those being held illegally, PF Democratic Republic of the Congo (PF DRC) has created a juridical committee to identify those in need and provide legal assistance. In early 2009, the committee secured the release of 26 prisoners being held illegally.
The team of eight lawyers identifies prisoners through various means including:
- Direct contact after reviewing the registry of prisoners in various facilities
- Request from inmates or victims through the PF office
- Prisoner requests through the chaplaincy programme
After selecting a case, committee members identify the legality of the detention and make the appropriate petitions for release. For remand prisoners, the lawyers help the prisoners take their case to courts and ask for judgment providing legal defense when necessary. For those prisoners owing court fees, the juridical committee works with the PF DRC leadership to provide financial assistance in paying such fees. Released prisoners are then referred to assistance with reentry into the community.
This work is supported by a memorandum of understand with the government that states that PF DRC will “contribute to the respect of the right of inmates by providing a team of lawyers responsible for ensuring the defense of prisoners before the courts.” The national ministry is also working with NGO partners working in the area of human rights to help provide both the legal and financial assistance to prisoners.
