Voices from Kinshasa (1/3): “A snake will bite when cornered”

In DR Congo, defending the rights of victims of injustice and exercising one’s fundamental freedoms remains a challenge. Faced with an often failing legal system and, at times, intimidation, men and women still pursue an ideal: to live in a fairer world. First of three interviews: Alphonse Koyakosi, lawyer specialised in international crimes.

Tunisia emergency: regions as victims

Tunis – Confronted with the rapid deterioration of the situation in Kasserine and in other marginalised regions of Tunisia, ASF and the Tunisia Forum for Economic and Social Rights have called on the Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD) to step in: to address the causes of social injustice. For both partners, the IVD should address…

Uganda: the first LRA rebel to appear before the ICC

Kampala, Uganda – ASF welcomes the confirmation of charges concerning Dominic Ongwen, a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel group, being held before the International Criminal Court today. As a victim-centered organization, ASF believes that this is the first step towards justice for the many victims of one of the longest conflicts in Uganda.…

Mansouri trial: adultery case or judicial harassment?

Rabat/Brussels – Hicham Mansouri, the Moroccan human rights activist, will be released on 17 January, having previously been sentenced to a 10-month prison term and a fine of 20,000 dirhams for the offence of complicity in adultery. ASF is concerned about the judicial harassment of those who support freedom of speech. With the release of…

ASF receives an exceptional donation from the Belgian Development Cooperation

On 24 December, ASF received a donation of €50,000 from the Belgian Development Cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister and Belgian Minister for Development Aid, Alexander De Croo, personally presented a cheque to ASF as part of the solidarity event “Music for Life”. This donation provides valuable aid at a time when NGOs are finding it…

Human rights and exploitation of natural resources: A missed opportunity

On 14 December 2015, Mbandaka Military Court sentenced Chief Commissioner Jean-Jacques Koyo, one other police officer and three servicemen on charges of crimes against humanity for the atrocities committed in 2011 against the people of Bosanga, in the village of Yalisika (Equateur province). Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) regrets that the Congolese judiciary did not take…

Human Rights Day: Tribute to civil society

On Human Rights Day, ASF pays tribute to civil society organisations (CSOs) committed to the defence of human rights. These partners of ASF such as human rights associations and bar associations work to make justice accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable groups of people. Whether in Burundi, Tunisia or Chad, where their working conditions…

Access to justice in Chad: civil society is mobilising itself

Despite justice reforms undertaken in recent years, the population of Chad still encounters numerous obstacles when trying to obtain access to justice. Given this situation, civil society organisations (CSOs) are taking action and providing legal advice and assistance: ASF is supporting three of these CSOs in their efforts to protect human rights.

International crimes: reduced sentence for the warlord Katanga

The sentence of the Congolese warlord Germain Katanga has been reduced and will end in January 2016. Such is the decision taken on 13 November by the judges of the International Criminal Court. ASF is considering the consequences of this decision for the future of cases before the Court and especially for the participation of…

Crimes against humanity in DR Congo: First conviction in the province of Maniema

ASF welcomes the conviction of a senior commissioner of the Congolese National Police for crimes against humanity. In its ruling on 31 October 2015, the Military Court of Kindu sentenced Colonel Amuri Pia Abraham to 15 years in prison for the rapes, torture and imprisonments carried out by his men in several villages in May…

Category: News