10 04 14 African Press Organization (APO) — Sentencing of DRC opposition MP Diomi Ndongala deeply regrettable political act (IPU)
Without any appeal system in place, the sentence on 26th March is the last step in trial proceedings which IPU is convinced were seriously flawed and eminently political. Neither Ndongala nor his lawyers were in court when the
sentence on charges of alleged rape against minors was pronounced.
sentence on charges of alleged rape against minors was pronounced.
In
a resolution adopted by IPU’s membership last week, the Supreme Court
was encouraged to issue an exemplary ruling. It would have ensured there
was no miscarriage of justice and that the Law was above politics in a
polarized political environment.
a resolution adopted by IPU’s membership last week, the Supreme Court
was encouraged to issue an exemplary ruling. It would have ensured there
was no miscarriage of justice and that the Law was above politics in a
polarized political environment.
IPU, whose Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has been working on this and other cases involving MPs in the DRC, is also seriously worried about Diomi Ndongola’s deteriorating health and about reports that he is being denied medical care.
“With
no appeal procedure possible, all pressure needs to be put on the DRC
to ensure there is retrial that addresses the concerns repeatedly
expressed by IPU, his lawyers and many others over the trial and his
treatment,” says Rogier Huizenga, head of
IPU’s human rights programme.
no appeal procedure possible, all pressure needs to be put on the DRC
to ensure there is retrial that addresses the concerns repeatedly
expressed by IPU, his lawyers and many others over the trial and his
treatment,” says Rogier Huizenga, head of
IPU’s human rights programme.
The
leader of the opposition Christian Democrats party and an MP in the DRC,
Diomi Ndongala was allegedly kidnapped and illegally detained from June
to October 2012. It was an experience that left him requiring
urgent medical attention and recuperation with the full knowledge of
parliamentary authorities.
leader of the opposition Christian Democrats party and an MP in the DRC,
Diomi Ndongala was allegedly kidnapped and illegally detained from June
to October 2012. It was an experience that left him requiring
urgent medical attention and recuperation with the full knowledge of
parliamentary authorities.
In
April 2013, he was imprisoned awaiting trial on alleged rape charges.
This was followed in June 2013 by the decision to invalidate his
parliamentary mandate for unjustified and prolonged absence from
parliament.
April 2013, he was imprisoned awaiting trial on alleged rape charges.
This was followed in June 2013 by the decision to invalidate his
parliamentary mandate for unjustified and prolonged absence from
parliament.