There are big problems at the prison in Kinshasa. They don’t get food as they’re supposed to, and they haven’t eaten a proper meal since they arrived at the prison in Kinshasa. A general has ordered that there will be no food allowed in to the prison and they don’t get to use the phone. There is someone who’s trying to press them for money of course, as we’ve seen all kind of thugs doing from day one.
In this situation the foreign ministry chooses as I’ve mentioned before to send their representative home for Christmas, WITHOUT sending anyone in her place. Let it be crystal clear: THEY ARE NOT FINE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES! To priority Christmas celebration before life and health is completely reprehensible. I would characterize this decision highly reprehensible and cruel.
Now this hostage situation has lasted over 2 and half years, with no resolution for the foreign ministry despite the fact that Congo has received about 600 million NOK and for given 140 million in dept. So despite the fact that we have the largest foreign ministry in the world in relation to population with severe resources the priority is Christmas holiday while Norwegian citizens are hostages and starving! There has to be something fundamentally wrong. If they get undernourished or forced to ear polluted food decease is just around the corner, both gastro intestinal problems and maybe malaria if they are weakened. Now, it’s about time the foreign ministry settles this and gets them home and be done with this misery.
Knut Moland, December 15th 2011
