KINSHASA - SOUTHERN African human rights groups have condemned the arrest and “wanton killing” of anti-President Joseph Kabila protesters on December 31.
The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) said it is disturbed by reports that security forces violently dispersed peaceful protestors resulting in the death of atleast 7 people, and the arrest of over 120 others.
According to media reports, the protestors were members of opposition political parties, religious groups and ordinary citizens expressing their concerns about DRC’s governance issues, and calling for the resignation of Kabila in power since 2001.
“SAHRDN calls upon DRC authorities to drop all charges against the human rights defenders and ordinary people arrested for asserting their right to freedom of assembly during the peaceful protests and to immediately unconditionally release them from detention;
“SAHRDN calls on DRC authorities to take urgent steps to guarantee the security and safety of all human rights defenders and ensure that they are able to carry out their activities without fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest or detention,” SAHRDN said in a statement.
Tensions have been increasing in DRC after the expiration of Kabila’s second and last term in December 2016 and the postponement of elections.
The Catholic Church brokered an agreement between the incumbent Kabila and opposition political parties that was signed in October 2016, giving timelines for elections that were due in December 2017.
Kabila who signed the agreement making undertakings to step down once his term came to an end to pave way for a democratic election was to later make an about-turn, resulting in rolling protests.
“SAHRDN hereby reminds the DRC government and the security forces that as a signatory to the African Union Constitutive Act, the DRC government has an obligation to hold free, fair and credible elections as well as facilitate a peaceful transfer of power.”
