20 12 11 AETA-EURAC JOINT STATEMENT: The post-electoral security and human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
During the days following the
elections and period immediately after the publication of results for the
presidential vote, we witnessed the escalation of violence in Kinshasa and in other
provinces. National and international media reported six fatalities in the
violence in Kinshasa and highlighted the increase in
attacks on civilians by the security forces. However reliable sources indicate
there were many wounded and more than 32 dead, their bodies immediately removed
by the police. Beyond these cases, there was an increase in insecurity with
reports of extortion, kidnap, killings and arbitrary arrests. Various sources
indicate the prolonged detention of individuals in many jails across the
country.
The opposition has continued to
reject the results published by CENI and accepted by the Supreme Court of
Justice, and has called for popular mobilisation. In the current context, and
given the numerous irregularities observed during the electoral process, AETA
and EurAc are concerned about the persistent insecurity by which Congolese
people have effectively been taken hostage. The two organizations’ main concern
at this stage is for peace, and to avoid the country falling into a new cycle of
violence that would be impossible to manage.
The mobile text messaging
service was suspended by the Congolese authorities on 3 December. This has
hampered the efforts of electoral observation missions to gather information
related to the results tallying process. More generally this is hindering
communication and information-sharing by the public, thereby limiting the
security and well-being of civilians during this tense period.
AETA and EurAc also deplore the
suspension of pro-opposition radio and TV stations, such as RTL, and the
suppression of opposition marches in Bukavu and Goma. We would like to emphasise
that peaceful mobilization and the expression of demands by citizens are
integral to the functioning of democracy.
In the
current context, with the massive deployment of security forces, and in light of
the abuses committed by security forces, Congolese people are faced with high
levels of insecurity. It is the
responsibility of the state to ensure that people can live without the fear,
terror and psychosis that have dominated their lives in recent days. The state
is responsible for embodying the values of peace and non-violence, necessary for
the consolidation of democracy.
AETA and
EurAc are concerned for the continuation of an electoral process that has not
guaranteed access to the vote, or security, for the entire electorate –
an electoral process that has been deficient in many respects. It is
vital that the credibility of the democratic process in general, and the
electoral process in particular, gets back on track and that all political
actors engage in calming tensions, to ensure a peaceful environment.
On the basis
of what is stated above and in light of the CENI’s publication of the
provisional results, AETA and EurAc recommend:
1. To the
Government of DRC
· Ensure that security
measures do not result in destruction, or lead to further civilian casualties or
fatalities. It is crucial that the police, already deployed in large numbers in
the country’s urban centres, and potentially the army, avoid at all costs the
use of repressive methods against civilians in their efforts to re-establish
order. They must stop using live ammunition, to avoid any repetition of criminal
killings of civilians in Kinshasa on 26 November and 9 and 10 December.
· Ensure the respect of
Congolese citizens’ rights, in particular the right to peaceful demonstration,
and guarantee peace during this sensitive period.
· Immediately re-establish the
mobile text messaging service throughout the country.
2. To
political parties
· Commit to restoration of a
non-violent and peaceful climate and to appeal through the law and relevant
institutions to settle litigation processes.
· Mobilise, sensitise and calm
their supporters and encourage them to refrain from using violent methods in
contesting the results of the presidential vote.
3. To the
European Union and its member states active in
DRC
· Closely monitor the
situation and condemn abuses by the Congolese security forces. This is
particularly important given the EU and some member states’ engagement as
security sector reform partners in the DRC.
· Support the speedy creation
of an efficient international mechanism for dialogue and mediation between the
political actors, to reach a political solution for the results dispute and the
management of the remaining process. This mechanism should allow contestation to
be expressed in a non-violent manner, and through dialogue.
· To use the experience gained
through the presidential and legislative elections and continue accompanying the
DRC in its efforts to consolidate democracy. This means including logistical and
technical support to CENI in future programme priorities, as well as, crucially,
support to civic and electoral education work by civil society organisations.
These efforts should be recognised as essential means to ensure the
effectiveness of the remaining electoral process. Setting up an intensive
national civic and electoral education programme in the DRC is now more urgent
than ever. As donors, the EU and member states should coordinate funding of
civic and election education programmes, as well as observation activities for
the rest of the electoral cycle.
· To further commit to
strengthening the judiciary so as to promote an open and fair electoral
litigation process.
4. To
Congolese people
· To contribute to
safeguarding peace by adopting non-violent behaviour and denouncing human rights
violations during this period.
For EurAc
For
AETA
Donatella
ROSTAGNO
Jérôme
BONSO
For more
information:
EurAc
AETA
Donatella
Rostagno
Jérôme Bonso
Coordinator of the electoral observation mission
Permanent Secretary
Tél : +32 496
074905
Tél : +243 999923152
donatella.rostagno@eurac-network.org jbonso_linelit@yahoo.fr