Kasula Trial update: Two Batwa released on bail in DRC; six remain in prison

Since 4 February this year, eight Batwa people have been imprisoned in appalling conditions in eastern DRC. We are pleased to hear that two of them, Nsimire M’Manda and Faida Bahati, have been temporarily released on bail as of 30 July. However, six others are still in prison and all eight face a long struggle for justice.

The eight prisoners were convicted of offences connected with Kahuzi-Biega National Park after a one-day trial at which they were given no time to choose or consult a lawyer or to call witnesses. Leaving aside the fact that they dispute their guilt, the process leading to their conviction was clearly completely lacking in due process. Of the group, the six men were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each and the two women to one year in prison. The whole group immediately launched an appeal, which was eventually scheduled to be heard on 23 July.

On 23 July, the group’s lawyers arrived at court, only to be told that the Public Prosecutor had “forgotten the file” and was going to have to postpone the case by a week. On 30 July, the appeal for release on bail of four of the eight defendants was eventually heard and bail was granted for the two women.