UN rights experts urge DR Congo to lift 'unjustified' ban on protests

“The rights to freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are fundamental rights guaranteed by international law. These rights can only be restricted in very specific and narrowly defined circumstances,” the experts said in a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

According to the release, the ban was imposed in September amid social discontent over delayed presidential elections which promoted a series of large demonstrations. These protests were brutally supressed by security forces and reportedly leaving dozens of people dead and injured.

This ban is the fourth of its kind in the country since 2015. Two such prohibitions remain in force, affecting Kalemie in Tanganyika province and Lubumbashi in Haut Katang province, it added.

“It is clear that the current situation in the DRC does not justify a general ban on demonstrations in several cities. In fact, given that the country is in a hotly disputed election period, people should be given more space, not less, to express their democratic freedoms,” the experts added, noting that at least four demonstrations were cancelled since the prohibition took effect on 22 September.

Further in the news release, the experts also raised fears over the National Dialogue agreement which took effect in October, postponing presidential elections beyond the constitutional deadline.

Warning that the agreement could be used to justify new and unacceptable restrictions on the legitimate activities of civil society organizations, the experts said:

“The protest ban and the restrictive tone of the National Dialogue agreement are both disturbing signs that democratic space is rapidly dissipating in the DRC, with human rights organizations and opposition parties bearing the brunt of the repression.”

They also reminded that the DRC is obligated to facilitate assembly and association rights and to protect people who exercise these rights and underscored the importance of allowing the development of an inclusive and participatory civil society sector at a critical juncture in the development of the country's democracy.

“In view of forthcoming demonstrations, in particular those planned for 5 November, we urge the Congolese authorities to revoke its decision to ban demonstrations,” the experts noted.

The UN human rights expressing concern included:

Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

Independent experts and Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

Photo: Habibou Bangre/IRIN

Source: www.justearthnews.com