Free Congo activists held in Kinshasa--- Amnesty
Amnesty International has launched a new campaign for the
release of Congolese youth human rights activists held incommunicado in
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, for 15 days.
The activists were
arrested on March 15, when security forces stormed a press conference on youth
civic engagement in political processes in the run up to the country’s
elections.
“Through this campaign, Amnesty International members and
the public will stand in solidarity with activists experiencing the brunt of
Congo’s continued crackdown before next year’s presidential election,” said
Christian Rumu, Amnesty International’s Campaigner for the Great Lakes Region.
“We hope this public outcry will persuade the Congolese
authorities to comply with their obligations to release the activists held
incommunicado in Kinshasa, and send a clear message that infringement of
fundamental rights to liberty and freedom from torture and ill-treatment are
not acceptable.”
During the campaign, Amnesty International members and
supporters around the globe, along with the public, will sign a petition, write
to Congolese authorities, and send solidarity tweets to those detained.
Amnesty International understands that at least five youth
human rights activists are still detained. They were among at least 30 people
arrested at the press conference organized by Congolese youth organisations la
Jeunesse pour une Nouvelle Société (JNS), le Forum National de la Jeunesse pour
l’Excellence (FNJE) and Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) at a cultural centre
called Eloko ya Makasi, Masina in Kinshasa.
The prolonged incommunicado detention of the five detainees
for 15 days constitutes ill-treatment and places them at risk of torture.
Others arrested were later released, including activists
from Senegal and Burkina Faso who were subsequently deported on March 18. These
included Fadel Barro, Aliou Sane and Malal Talla from Y’en a Marre of Senegal,
and Ouedraogo Sibiri from Balai Citoyen of Burkina Faso.
“Cracking down on the youth, who are supposed to be the
future of the country, is sending a worrisome signal that their views and
concerns do not count to the government,” said Fadel Barro, one of the members
of the Senegalese group, Y’en a Marre.
“A youth that feels excluded and marginalized is a factor of
instability. Congolese authorities, instead of acting to meet their youth’s
aspirations and hopes, are fuelling a sentiment of recklessness.”
Amnesty International calls on the Congolese authorities to
respect the rule of law, uphold due process rights guaranteed in DRC’s
Constitution, and comply with its obligations under regional and international
human rights standards.
“With elections coming up in more than 10 African countries
this year, young people have a right to freedom of expression, association and
peaceful assembly as they play a key role in opening debates on political
processes,” said Rumu.
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