The importance of restoring justice in the DRC
Justice is a fundamental pillar of a fair and democratic society. Unfortunately, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this pillar is seriously shaken. The NGO Law and Faith Around the Globe (FLAG) is engaged in a fight for the restoration of justice in the country. In order to contribute to this cause, she recently organized a conference in Lubumbashi, in the province of Haut-Katanga.
The main objective of this conference was to draw up a realistic and uncompromising diagnosis of the state of justice in the DRC. Dozens of jurists, such as lawyers, magistrates, legal defenders and bailiffs, participated in this event. All are unanimous on a damning observation: Congolese justice is rendered at two speeds and is often influenced by political and economic considerations.
Father Charles Shabani, one of the speakers at the conference, denounces the fact that the Congolese population does not find satisfaction in the country’s judicial system. The perpetrators of crimes often benefit from impunity, and corruption corrupts the machinery of justice. Court decisions are rendered without consequence, because they are not executed correctly. Instead of serving as a pillar for the development of the country, justice contributes to its decline.
Another speaker, Delphin Mukwene, pointed out that corruption within the judiciary is a pandemic that weighs on the conscience of many magistrates and lawyers. According to him, the solution lies in the integrity and ethics of each individual. Lawyers and magistrates must demonstrate honesty, sincerity and fidelity by strictly limiting themselves to what is granted to them by law.
The restoration of justice in the DRC is a major challenge for Congolese society. It is crucial to fight impunity and eradicate corruption within the justice system. This requires structural reforms and concrete measures to guarantee fair and independent justice. The commitment of the NGO FLAG in this fight is commendable, and it is imperative that the Congolese authorities also take measures to restore the population’s confidence in their judicial system.
In conclusion, the conference on the restoration of justice in the DRC organized by the NGO FLAG highlights the challenges facing Congolese justice. The population expects far-reaching reforms and an effective fight against corruption to regain confidence in the judicial system