31 12 11 Christian Aid slams human rights abuses following contested elections in the Congo

‘Since then there has also been a
marked increase in intimidation and violent repression by Congolese security
forces, deployed in large numbers in the DRC capital Kinshasa and other
provincial capitals in recent weeks.’

 

Security forces in Kinshasa used
live rounds against demonstrators and rioters in opposition strongholds after
the publication of provisional election results on 9 and 10 December. National
and international media reported just six fatalities on the streets of Kinshasa,
although reliable local sources indicate that the number of dead and wounded was
far higher, and that Congolese security forces had quickly removed bodies. There
has since been an alarming rise in insecurity, with many reports of extortion,
kidnap, killings, arbitrary arrests and the prolonged detention of individuals
in numerous prisons across the country.

 

As well as the national suspension
of pro-opposition radio and TV stations, and the suppression of marches in
Bukavu and Goma, the Congolese mobile text messaging service has been suspended
by the government since 3 December. This has significantly hindered
communication and information-sharing by the public during this increasingly
tense and uncertain period.

 

The political opposition, led by
Etienne Tshisekedi, has continued to reject the results published by CENI and
accepted by the Supreme Court of Justice. Tshisekedi has proclaimed himself
President, with his own ‘swearing in’ ceremony planned in Kinshasa
today.

 

Christian Aid believes it is crucial
that Congolese security forces avoid the use of repressive methods against
civilians in their efforts to maintain order. The country’s mobile text
messaging service should also be urgently re-established, and election results
should be handled in a transparent and non-violent way to help restore the
credibility of the Congo’s fledgling democratic
process.

 

As one of the largest bilateral
donors to the DRC, Christian Aid urges the UK to use all its influence,
including through the European Union and United Nations, to closely monitor the
situation and condemn abuses by the Congolese security forces. The UK should
support the creation of an international mechanism for dialogue and mediation
between the political parties to help resolve the ongoing dispute over the
elections results and promote the peaceful management of the rest of the
election process.