Mass rape of Congo prisoners during riots - activists

Campaign group Human Rights Watch says the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo repeatedly ignored security warnings which preceded a prison riot last year in which inmates raped dozens of female detainees, including a teenage girl. 

About 2,000 detainees of Kasapa prison in the city of Lubumbashi rioted in September 2020, setting fire to buildings and attacking female inmates for three days. 

Several of the victims became pregnant and some contracted HIV. 

Security forces reportedly shot dead at least 20 people during the riot. 

A year on, Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation so that those responsible for the abuses are prosecuted. 

It says survivors must be given medical care and mental health support.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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