Civil society organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently expressed serious concerns about the alarming decline in human rights in the country during a press conference in Kinshasa on February 21, 2024. According to the panel experts, a climate of terror has set in with arbitrary arrests and detentions of activists.
Civil society representatives strongly criticized these unacceptable practices under a regime that, in the past, had been committed to human rights and freedom of expression. They stressed that the repression of dissenting voices and violations of fundamental rights were incompatible with democratic values and past struggles for freedom.
The recent arrest of activists such as Bienvenu Matumo and Fred Bauma, who were detained for two days for simply recalling a protest event, illustrates a worrying trend of repression against those who dare to speak out. Likewise, the continued detention of journalist Stanis Bujakera only reinforces concerns about respect for individual freedoms and human rights in the DRC.
Faced with these challenges, civil society calls on the authorities to respect democratic principles and international human rights standards. They warn against any attempt to muzzle the population and affirm their determination to defend human dignity and fundamental freedoms at all costs.
At this critical time, when human rights are under threat, it is crucial that the international community remains vigilant and provides support to human rights defenders in the DRC. Stability, justice and democracy in the country are at stake.
In short, it is imperative that the Congolese authorities take immediate measures to end the repression of dissenting voices and guarantee respect for human rights for all citizens. The democratic future of the DRC depends on the protection of these fundamental values which are at the heart of any just and equitable society.