Training of judicial officers to combat environmental crimes in Virunga National Park
The NGO Congolese Alert for the Environment and Human Rights (ACEDH) recently organized a three-day training in collaboration with the Federation of Lake Edouard Fishermen’s Committees (FECOPEILE). This training aimed to strengthen the skills of six judicial officers with restricted jurisdiction in the fight against environmental crimes, more particularly in Virunga National Park.
The six Judicial Police officers (OPJ) trained came from various fields such as the environment, fishing and livestock farming, town planning and even from a locality close to the park. They have been trained in law enforcement to combat crimes such as poaching, illegal fishing, charring, logging and trafficking on Lake Edward, as well as cultivation in the park.
According to Eric Kambale, consultant within ACEDH, the absence of law enforcement is at the origin of the abuses observed in the Virunga national park and on Lake Edward. It is therefore essential that all laws are applied in order to allow OPJs to work with integrity and impartiality.
The prosecutor at the Beni High Court, Philippe Majiko, encouraged the judicial officers by reminding them that their mission was not limited to the law relating to the environment alone. They must also refer to other laws such as the constitution, the land code, the penal code and the code of criminal procedures. He urged them to exercise their duties with integrity and impartiality, demonstrating character.
In addition to the participation of FARDC military officers and officials from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), this OPJ capacity building session concluded with the swearing-in of new officers.
Combating environmental crimes in Virunga National Park is of paramount importance for the preservation of this natural gem. The training of judicial officers is a step forward towards better law enforcement and increased environmental protection. Hopefully this initiative will contribute to the preservation of the park’s natural resources and the continuation of conservation efforts.