Fatshimetrie, September 19, 2024 – In an ongoing effort to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities and members of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Network (RPDDH) in the Bas-Uélé region recently participated in a capacity-building workshop. This event, organized by civil society organizations such as the NGO Dynamique pour la promotion de la femme en milieu rural (DYFEMIR), aimed to raise awareness among participants about the fundamentals of human rights and their essential roles in protecting these rights.
The workshop focused on the missions and obligations of authorities in the area of human rights, highlighting the importance of their commitment to promoting and protecting these rights. Espérance Kwaza Navonga, National Coordinator of DYFEMIR, stressed that this initiative is part of the project “Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Defenders (PP-DDH) in the DRC” and that it aims to strengthen collaboration between local authorities and networks for the protection of human rights defenders.
The organizations involved in this project, such as the voice of the voiceless (VSV), Diakonia-RDC and the Development Forum for the Self-Promotion of Pygmies and Disadvantaged Indigenous Peoples (FDAPID), stressed the importance of bringing participants to a full understanding of their role in the protection, respect and realization of human rights. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the construction and consolidation of the rule of law and democratic institutions in the DRC.
Since 2022, this project has been implemented in all twenty-six provinces of the DRC, including in the province of Bas-Uélé, where concerted efforts are being made to ensure the protection of human rights defenders. By strengthening the capacities of local authorities and promoting effective collaboration between the different institutions concerned, this project aims to create an environment conducive to the defense of human rights and the promotion of social justice.
In conclusion, this workshop marks an important step in the promotion of human rights in the DRC and underlines the commitment of the authorities and civil society organizations to work together for a more just and equitable future for all.