Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the UPR report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Delivered by
Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS welcomes the government of DRC's engagement with the UPR and adoption of the Law on Protection and Responsibility of HRDs. Although an important step in the protection of human rights, the law contains shortfalls, which could increase the risks to HRDs and facilitate their criminalisation.
Since its last review, DRC has only partially implemented eight out of 28 recommendations relating to civic space. CIVICUS remains concerned on the continued arbitrary arrests, intimidation and judicial harassment of HRDs and journalists. Furthermore, due to the civic space violations committed in the context of the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, the country was placed on the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, indicating a rapidly declining environment for civil society, HRDs and journalists since the capture of Goma by the armed group M23 in January.
While HRDs, journalists and civil society have been targeted with threats, attacks, detention, abductions and even killings in areas controlled by M23, access to information and freedom of expression have been hampered by internet cuts, restrictions on social media and authorities’ threats of sanctions against journalists who cover the conflict. For example, in January, the president of the Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication threatened French broadcasters France 24, RFI and TV5 Monde with sanctions for reporting on ‘alleged advances’ by M23, which he described as ‘apology for terrorism’. A few days later, Al Jazeera was suspended for a period of 90 days for ‘destabilising institutions of the republic’.
We urge the government to uphold its human rights obligations by creating an enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders, as well as prioritise actions to fight against the widespread impunity of violations committed against HRDs, civil society and journalists.
We thank you.
