The two Norwegians are sentenced to death for forming a criminal association with the intent to harm people and property. There are no evidence against them for this either, and when would they have time to form a criminal association in Congo the short time they were there? Just the opposite – instead of conflicting harm against anyone or anything they’ve become health- and social workers in Kisangani Central Prison. They have given their time and energy to help their inmates and the guards as I wrote about in my last blog. Over two and a half years has passed since the fateful evening in Congo’s jungle.
That Josh and Tjostolv have survived is a miracle. Especially in the beginning they endured a lot of human rights violations, abuse and torture. Even though they have a privileged place in the prison hierarchy, it’s not much that is going to happen before a dangerous situation occurs. We’ve experienced this several times in the “quiet” periods as well. The Norwegians try to keep the moral up, but it’s not easy with the constant battle against disease, cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats and other filth. If it rains a lot, they wake up from the rain falling down on them when they sleep. They always struggle to keep up good hygiene as well as they can. The noise in the prison is unbearable. The climate is moist and it’s easy to get infections. The days, weeks and months go by. Congo’s debt to Norway is now for given. It was according to the media about 143 million NOK. Norway contributes with about 500 million to the Rain Forest Fund in Congo etc. Imagine if Congo could give at least as much back that they keep their promises to Norwegian authorities and at least transfer the two Norwegian prisoners to the capital!
Kari Hilde French, November 12th 2011
