(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: FREE EXPRESSION CRUSHED IN WAR-TORN DRC A new report to be launched on Monday condemns authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for crushing freedom of expression. The report, by ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, and Kinshasa based Journaliste en […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
FREE EXPRESSION CRUSHED IN WAR-TORN DRC
A new report to be launched on Monday condemns authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for crushing freedom of expression. The report, by ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, and Kinshasa based Journaliste en Danger (JED), urgently calls for the end of abuses.
In blatant disregard for fundamental international human rights standards, authorities in both parts of DRC, which has effectively been divided by war, are continuing to escalate attacks on freedom of expression. The DRC government, from its base in Kinshasa, recently seized control of private
television and radio outlets and frequently arrests journalists. The Goma based Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie (RCD) last week beat up and briefly detained 14 human rights activists, days after their meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Specifically ARTICLE 19 is calling on the RCD authorities in the east to lift its ban on Radio Maendeleo, (established by development NGOs to inform the population about vital information including human rights) and on the DRC government to release Freddy Loseke, Editor of La Libre Afrique. Loseke was detained and tortured last year and sentenced by a military court to three years in jail on charges of publishing articles which were offensive to the army. Loseke is now seriously ill.
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 said: “Both the DRC government and the RCD are guilty of imposing serious and sometimes violent restrictions on freedom of expression and association. We urge the DRC government and the RCD to take immediate steps to build peace and a culture of respect for human rights in this war shattered country.”
Notes to Editors
1. The report, République Democratique du Congo, vers une nouvelle strategie pour la liberté d’expression, is available in French from ARTICLE 19 or from JED, email jedkin@ic.cd, www.congonline.com/JED/index.html. The English translation will be available in November
