Country: Congo (the Democratic Republic of the)

  • Disappointing appeal verdict in the Chebeya case

    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…

  • The many faces of international justice (1/4): DR Congo

    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.

  • “Yalisika” trial: Logging and human right in DRC

    “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…

  • No legal existence equals no rights for Congolese citizens

    No legal existence equals no rights for Congolese citizens

    Lubero, DR Congo – Registration of births – and marriages – is vital for the establishment of citizens’ rights. This is the message that was shared by ASF and its partners with more than 6,000 people living in Lubero, North Kivu.

  • “The man who mends women”

    “The man who mends women”

    On Thursday April 30th, a ‘Justice and impunity’ evening will take place in Brussels. The public will have the opportunity to watch the film ‘L’homme qui répare les femmes’ (‘the man who mends women’). This documentary by filmmaker Thierry Michel recounts the incessant fight of Doctor Mukwege against sexual violence which affects thousands of women…

  • Commodification of detainees in Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Crimes of Bogoro: International Criminal Court’s first acquittal Upheld

    Crimes of Bogoro: International Criminal Court’s first acquittal Upheld

    ASF regrets the decision by the ICC today to reject the Prosecutor’s appeal in the Bogoro case. This ruling puts an end to proceedings against former warlord Ngudjolo Chui for crimes committed in the Congolese village. Besides the legal debate, this ruling leaves victims without any answers as to who was responsible for the crimes…

  • ASF welcomes the conviction of warlord Kizima Lenine

    ASF welcomes the conviction of warlord Kizima Lenine

    ASF welcomes the decision to condemn Kizima Lenine Sabin, war lord in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity. This decision demonstrates a real will on the part of the Congolese justice system to combat the impunity of war crimes and severe violations of human rights…

  • The conditions of detention in DR Congo violate prisoners’ rights

    The conditions of detention in DR Congo violate prisoners’ rights

    Overpopulation, poor hygiene, no healthcare, little food… the situation for detainees in DR Congo is very concerning. In order to combat the conditions of detention and their impact on prisoners’ human rights, ASF and RCN Justice & Démocratie jointly organised a round table on the “Right to justice: detention in DR Congo”.

  • DR Congo: conviction of Colonel “106” and risk of reprisals

    DR Congo: conviction of Colonel “106” and risk of reprisals

    ASF welcomes the decision by the South Kivu Military Court to convict Bedi Mobuli Engangela, known as “Colonel 106”, to life in prison for crimes against humanity. The former warlord is one of those responsible for the violence committed in South Kivu between 2005-2007 which affected over 1,000 civilian victims. However, ASF remains worried about…