Statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Council's 55th session
Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the Democratic Republic of Congo
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
While we laud the promulgation of the law on the protection and responsibility of HRDs, concerns persist on ongoing violations against HRDs, notably intimidation and arbitrary arrests of defenders. On the 3rd February, security officers arrested four activists during a protest in Kinshasa.
While the newly adopted Press Law presents many advancements in terms of guaranteeing press freedom, it also continues to provide opportunities to criminally prosecute journalists, including for sharing “false news”. Authorities have also continued to subject journalists to arbitrary arrests and judicial harassment. In March, renowned journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala was sentenced to six months in prison, despite civil society and media investigations clearly demonstrate that claims by the prosecution lacks evidence and consistency.
Meanwhile, in eastern DRC civic freedoms have been curtailed and regularly violated. Local authorities have used the State of Siege to crack down on dissent, including through arbitrary arrest and prosecution, before military courts, of civil society activists.
We call on authorities to review all restrictive laws and provisions, to decriminalise all press offences, and as a matter of urgency ensure the protection of human rights defenders and journalists.
We call on the Council to maintain critical ongoing efforts towards accountability. We further ask the High Commissioner how members and observers of this Council can best support those on the ground to prevent further civic space violations.
