In DR of Congo, UN's top human rights official urges respect for freedoms
4 October -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
During her meeting with President Laurent-Désiré Kabila, High Commissioner Mary Robinson, who wrapped up her official visit to the country yesterday, expressed concern about recent violations of human rights that had been brought to her attention. "Even in the case of a conflict like this which has affected your country, a way has to be found to integrate and respect fundamental freedoms," she said, referring in particular to the rights to freedom of expression, association and movement.
Mrs. Robinson voiced her concern to President Kabila about the country's military court, and received assurances from him that it would not try civilians.
The High Commissioner also held meetings in Goma with senior members of the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratie. She expressed her "extreme concern" about allegations of massacres carried out in the region which had prompted the Security Council to call for an international inquiry. In addition, she said she was worried about numerous rights violations regularly brought to her attention, including violations of the right to life; severe restrictions on freedom of opinion, expression and assembly; the use of torture; and the harassment of human rights defenders and other members of civil society. "The armed conflict which is affecting your country can in no way justify or excuse violations against defenceless civilians, the very young or the very old who are too weak to flee," she said.
Mrs. Robinson left the Democratic Republic of the Congo for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend a regional seminar on the prevention of ethnic conflicts.
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