Congo UPR: Adopt the law to promote and protect the rights of defenders

During the review, Congo highlighted that it noted recommendations taken to establish a safe and conducive environment for the peaceful exercise by civil society organisations of their activities. The aim is that in the Republic of Congo, members of NGOs and civil society working to advance the protection of human rights can perform their work freely without any intimidation or reprisals of any kind from the authorities.

In a joint statement, ISHR and RPDH noted that beyond constitutional guarantees and international commitments, concerns remain regarding the practice of freedom of expression, association, peaceful demonstration, and access to public information. Self-censorship, the need to obtain authorisation to demonstrate peacefully, impunity for rights violations and constraints on the work of civil society are among the challenges.

Therefore, ISHR and RPDH call on Congo to:

• Urgently adopt the bill for the protection and promotion of the rights of defenders currently under discussion, ensuring that it reflects the needs of Congolese civil society and international standards in this area;
• Take concrete measures to respect the Constitution and put an end to the prior authorisation regime for peaceful demonstrations.
• Adopt a specific law on access to public information to make the accountability obligation effective.
• Provide an adequate response to concerns related to impunity in the context of corruption and abuses by State agents, including the public force.