Country: Congo (the Democratic Republic of the)
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Voices from Kinshasa (2/3): “My goal: to live in a country without injustice”
Defending the rights of victims of injustice and exercising one’s fundamental freedoms remains a challenge in DR Congo. Faced with an often failing legal system and, at times, intimidation, men and women still pursue an ideal: to live in a fairer world. Second of three interviews: journalist Nathalie Kapela, specialised in covering justice matters.
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Katanga case in DRC: the ICC challenged again in Africa
Kinshasa, RD Congo, 22 februari 2016 – Ondanks de aanvragen van het Internationaal Strafhof (ISH) heeft het openbaar ministerie van het Hoog Militair Gerechtshof van Kinshasa gepleit voor de onmiddellijke voortzetting van de rechtszaak tegen de voormalige krijgsheer, Germain Katanga. Advocaten Zonder Grenzen (ASF) betreurt dit negatief signaal ten opzichte van het ISH.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Disappointing appeal verdict in the Chebeya case
The Military High Court yesterday delivered its final verdict in the Chebeya case. This appeal verdict acquits 4 of the 5 defendants and significantly reduces the jail sentence imposed in the first instance on police chief Mukalay . ASF, which is supporting the activist’s brothers and sisters in their civil claims, regrets that the Congolese…
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The many faces of international justice (1/4): DR Congo
Over the summer, as part of the Crossroads project, ASF is bringing you the latest news about international justice. Our teams on the ground give you the lowdown. This week, Dominique Kamuandu, International Justice Programme Coordinator in DR Congo, gives us his impressions of the progress made and what is still to be accomplished.
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“Yalisika” trial: Logging and human right in DRC
Kinshasa, DR Congo – ASF welcomes the start of the trial concerning the attack on the village of Yalisika carried out in 2011. However, ASF is concerned that the perpetrators identified during the investigations have not yet been brought to trial, and recalls the importance of establishing the responsibility of all those involved in committing…