Democratic Republic of the Congo

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Democratic Republic of the Congo COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 27 OCTOBER 2006 RDS-IND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 27 OCTOBER 2006 Contents PREFACE Latest news EVENTS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, FROM 1 OCTOBER 2006 TO 27 OCTOBER 2006 REPORTS ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED BETWEEN 1 OCTOBER 2006 AND 27 OCTOBER 2006 Paragraphs Background information GEOGRAPHY .............................................................................................1.01 Map - DRC ..................................................................................... 1.05 Eastern DRC ................................................................................. 1.06 ECONOMY .................................................................................................2.01 HISTORY ...................................................................................................3.01 History to 1997..............................................................................3.01 The Laurent Kabila Regime 1997 ................................................3.02 The Joseph Kabila Regime 2001.................................................3.03 Events of 2005 ..............................................................................3.04 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ...........................................................................4.01 CONSTITUTION ..........................................................................................5.01 POLITICAL SYSTEM ...................................................................................6.01 Government ..................................................................................6.05 Elections .......................................................................................6.14 Human Rights INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................7.01 SECURITY SITUATION - GENERAL................................................................8.01 Eastern DRC............................................................................. 8.14 Ituri ............................................................................................ 8.17 North Kivu ................................................................................ 8.55 South Kivu................................................................................ 8.77 Bukavu June 2004 ................................................................... 8.95 Gatumba massacre August 2004 ........................................... 8.101 Katanga..................................................................................... 8.106 Possible secession attempt April 2005 ...................................... 8.124 Kilwa October 2004.................................................................. 8.128 CRIME.......................................................................................................9.01 SECURITY FORCES ....................................................................................10.01 Police.............................................................................................10.08 Arbitrary arrest and detention .................................................... 10.15 Torture ....................................................................................... 10.16 Armed forces ................................................................................10.20 Arbitrary arrest and detention .................................................... 10.21 Torture ....................................................................................... 10.22 Extra-judicial killings .................................................................. 10.25 ii This Country of Origin Information Report contains the most up-to-date publicly available information as at 27 October 2006. Older source material has been included where it contains relevant information not available in more recent documents. 27 OCTOBER 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Other government forces ............................................................10.27 MILITARY SERVICE.....................................................................................11.01 Treatment of deserters and consientious objectors.................11.22 ABUSES BY NON-GOVERNMENT FORCES....................................................12.01 Disarmament of foreign armed groups ......................................12.09 Torture...........................................................................................12.21 Forced conscription.....................................................................12.22 JUDICIARY Organisation .................................................................................13.01 Independence ...............................................................................13.04 Fair trial .........................................................................................13.09 Penal code ....................................................................................13.13 ARREST AND DETENTION – LEGAL RIGHTS..................................................14.01 PRISON CONDITIONS..................................................................................15.01 DEATH PENALTY........................................................................................16.01 POLITICAL AFFILIATION .............................................................................17.01 Freedom of political expression .................................................17.07 Letters of support from political parties ....................................17.08 Freedom of association and assembly ......................................17.09 Opposition groups and political activists..................................17.16 FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND MEDIA ..............................................................18.01 Journalists ....................................................................................18.06 Newspapers ..................................................................................18.23 Newspaper Articles ......................................................................18.27 Radio, television and the internet...............................................18.32 HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND ACTIVISTS General ..........................................................................................19.01 Treatment of non-government organisations (NGOs) .............. 19.18 Human rights activists.................................................................19.20 CORRUPTION ............................................................................................20.01 FREEDOM OF RELIGION Legal framework...........................................................................21.01 Religious groups ..........................................................................21.04 Bundu Dia Kongo .........................................................................21.05 Arrests of July 2002 and subsequent events............................. 21.13 Armée De Victorie (Army of Victory Church).............................21.22 Events of June 2003 and subsequently..................................... 21.26 Religious freedom ........................................................................21.33 ETHNIC GROUPS........................................................................................22.01 Ethnic issues ................................................................................22.06 Banyarwanda/Banyamulenge/Tutsis in Eastern DRC............... 22.11 Tutsis in Kinshasa........................................................................22.26 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS........................... 23.01 DISABILITY ................................................................................................24.01 WOMEN Legal rights ...................................................................................25.01 Political rights...............................................................................25.05 Social and economic rights.........................................................25.06 Violence against women..............................................................25.16 CHILDREN Basic information .........................................................................26.01 Education ......................................................................................26.07 Child care ......................................................................................26.17 Street children ..............................................................................26.19 22/11/2006This Country of Origin Information Report contains the most up-to-date publicly available information as at 27 October 2006. iii Older source material has been included where it contains relevant information not available in more recent documents. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 27 OCTOBER 2006 Sexual exploitation.......................................................................26.23 Health issues ................................................................................26.26 Child labour ..................................................................................26.28 Child soldiers................................................................................26.33 Imprisonment of children ............................................................26.52 Children
Recommended publications
  • New Unhas Drc Schedule Effect
    UNHAS DRC FLIGHT SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 11th 2017 All Planned Flight Times are in LOCAL TIME: Kinshasa, Mbandaka, Brazzaville, Impfondo, Enyelle, Gemena, Libenge, Gbadolite, Zongo, Bangui (UTC + 1); All Other Destinations (UTC + 2) PASSENGERS ARE TO CHECK IN 2 HOURS BEFORE SCHEDULE TIME OF DEPARTURE - PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COUNTER WILL BE CLOSED 1 HOUR BEFORE TIME OF THE DEPARTURE MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY AIRCRAFT DESTINATION DEP ARR DESTINATION DEP ARR DESTINATION DEP ARR DESTINATION DEP ARR DESTINATION DEP ARR KINSHASA MBANDAKA 7:30 9:00 SPECIAL FLIGHTS KINSHASA BRAZZAVILLE 7:30 7:45 SPECIAL FLIGHTS KINSHASA MBANDAKA 7:30 9:00 SPECIAL FLIGHTS SPECIAL FLIGHTS UNO 113H MBANDAKA LIBENGE 9:30 10:30 BRAZZAVILLE MBANDAKA 8:45 10:15 MBANDAKA GBADOLITE 9:30 10:50 DHC8 LIBENGE ZONGO 11:00 11:20 MBANDAKA IMPFONDO 10:45 11:15 GBADOLITE BANGUI 11:20 12:05 5Y-STN ZONGO BANGUI 11:50 12:00 OR IMPFONDO ENYELLE 11:45 12:10 OR BANGUI LIBENGE 13:05 13:25 OR OR BANGUI GBADOLITE 13:00 13:45 ENYELLE MBANDAKA 12:40 13:30 LIBENGE MBANDAKA 13:55 14:55 GBADOLITE MBANDAKA 14:15 15:35 MBANDAKA BRAZZAVILLE 14:00 15:30 MBANDAKA KINSHASA 15:25 16:55 MBANDAKA KINSHASA 16:05 17:35 MAINTENANCE BRAZZAVILLE KINSHASA 16:00 16:15 MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE KINSHASA KANANGA 7:15 9:30 SPECIAL FLIGHTS KINSHASA GOMA 7:15 10:30 SPECIAL FLIGHTS KINSHASA KANANGA 7:15 9:30 SPECIAL FLIGHTS SPECIAL FLIGHTS UNO 213H KANANGA KALEMIE 10:00 11:05 GOMA KALEMIE 12:15 13:05 KANANGA GOMA 10:00 11:25 EMB-135 KALEMIE GOMA 11:45 12:35 OR KALEMIE
    [Show full text]
  • Actor Heatmap
    2017 Q3 Report CONTENTS 1. Results & Overall Progress 2. Sectors 3. Regions 4. Cross-Cutting Sectors, Operations & Management 5. Business Development Services 6. Markets in Crisis 7. Women’s Economic Empowerment INTRODUCTION The third quarter was another busy one at ELAN RDC, as the programme balanced a mid-term evaluation and data verification process in addition to ongoing implementation. A number of new consultants contributed to increased activity for the technical team during the quarter, resulting in concrete workstreams on business development services (BDS), the launch of scoping to replicate existing interventions in conflict-affected Kasai Central, and a renewed focus on gender through increased support from our senior gender adviser. A number of large partnerships were finalised thanks to agreement with DFID on an improved non-objection review process, however, several large partnerships remained delayed due to multiple factors including increasing unstable market conditions. Partnerships in the energy and agriculture sectors were finalised during the quarter, while several partnerships in the financial sector faced delays. The programme has initiated a drive to increase and improve communications of programme results, resulting in an increase in visibility across various media. The launch of the Congo Coffee Atlas, completion of research for The Africa Seed Access Index (TASAI), meeting with mobile network operators to establish a lobbying platform and the finalisation of the contract for a renewable energy marketing campaign are all examples of activities through which ELAN RDC has made more market information available to the broader private sector. More details about third quarter results are found in the following slides.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Generale
    P a g e | 1 INTRODUCTION GENERALE 0.1. Problématique Le présent mémoire porte sur les logotypes et la signification : Analyse de la dénotation et de la connotation des logotypes des banques Trust Merchant Bank (TMB) et Rawbank. En effet, Sperber1 dit qu’il n’y a rien de plus banal que la communication, car les êtres humains sont par nature des êtres communiquant par la parole, le geste, l’écrit, l’habillement et voire le silence, etc. La célèbre école de Palo Alto le dit tout haut aussi: on ne peut pas ne pas communiquer, tout est communication2. La communication, nous la pratiquons tous les jours sans y penser (mais également en y pensant) et généralement avec un succès assez impressionnant, même si parfois nous sommes confrontés à ses limites et à ses échecs. La communication demeure l’élément fondamental et complexe de la vie sociale qui rend possible l’interaction des personnes et dont la caractéristique essentielle est, selon Daniel Lagache3, la réciprocité. Elle est ce par quoi une personne influence une autre et en est influencée, car elle n’est pas indépendante des effets de son action. Morin affirme même que la communication a plusieurs fonctions : l’information, la connaissance, l’explication et la compréhension. Toutefois, pour lui, le problème central dans la communication humaine est celui de la compréhension, car on communique pour comprendre et se comprendre4. Raison pour laquelle, les chercheurs en matière de communication, surtout de notre ère, époque marquée par l’accroissement des entreprises dans la plupart des secteurs de la vie sociale, se trouvent confronté à de nouvelles problématiques qui sont autant d’enjeux pour améliorer la communication.
    [Show full text]
  • Konrad English Layout - Vol 11.Indd 1 8/8/2012 11:04:58 AM Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
    KONRAD ADENAUER STIFTUNG AFRICAN LAW STUDY LIBRARY Volume 11 Edited by Hartmut Hamann, Jean-Michel Kumbu & Yves-Junior Manzanza Lumingu Hartmut Hamann is a lawyer specialized in providing legal support for international projects between states and private companies, and in international arbitration proceedings. He is a professor at the Freie Universität Berlin, and at the Chemnitz University of Technology, where he teaches public international law and conflict resolution. His legal and academic activities often take him to Africa. ([email protected]) Jean-Michel Kumbu is a lecturer in employment law and economic legislation at Université de Kinshasa and other universities in Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a lawyer and focuses on business law. He is an expert in democratic governance by the United Nations Development Program in Kinshasa. Yves-Junior Manzanza Lumingu has a Bachelor of Law from the Université de Kinshasa where he worked as a research assistant to the Vice Dean. He was responsible for research within the faculty of law and was later nominated as an assistant at the Université de Kikwit (Bandundu / Democratic Republic of the Congo). Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate at the Julius-Maximilians- Universität Würzburg. His field of research covers the three areas "constitutional state – protection of private investment – worker protection". He is also interested in issues relating to the promotion of women’s and children’s rights. Konrad Published By: Adenauer Stiftung Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa ©July 2012 AFRICAN LAW STUDY LIBRARY Vol 11 A Konrad English Layout - Vol 11.indd 1 8/8/2012 11:04:58 AM Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Office : Mbaruk Road, Hse, No.
    [Show full text]
  • DR Congo and Other People with Good Understanding of the Proverbs and Wise Sayings
    A COLLECTION OF 100 TAABWA (D R CONGO) PROVERBS AND WISE SAYINGS By ETOKA MALISAWA PETER African Proverbs Working Group Nairobi, Kenya MAY 2017 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to almighty God the source of my life, my strength and inspiration. I also appreciate the moral contribution of my lovely family and all members of Taabwa ethnic group wherever they are. ACKNOWLODGEMENT I want to address strongly my acknowledgement to Mr. Dunia Freza for his contribution on collection of these Taabwa Proverbs. I would like too to address my sincere acknowledgement to the entire staff of African Proverbs Working Group, Fr. J Healey, Cephas and Margaret ireri for considered my proposal and particularly to Mr. Elias Bushiri Elie for guided me in a smart way in this work from the beginning up to its end. Finally, I thank members of APWG especially Fr. Joseph Healey, Prof. Cephas Elias Bushiri one more and Margaret for their contribution in one way or another for the accomplishment of this work, May God our Lord bless every one of you. INTRODUCTION Location The Lungu people (also known as Rungu or Taabwa) are an ethnic and linguistic group living primarily on the southeastern shores of of Lake Tanganyika, on the Marungu massif in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in southwestern Tanzania and Northeastern Zambia. They speak dialects of the mambwe-Lungu language, a Bantu language closely related to that of the nearby Bemba people and Luba people. The taabwa people are Bantu with a language similar to the Bemba. The ame is spelled Tabwa in some sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Of the United Nations Mission in the DRC / MONUC – MONUSCO
    Assessing the of the United Nations Mission in the DRC / MONUC – MONUSCO REPORT 3/2019 Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Copyright: © Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 2019 ISBN: 978-82-7002-346-2 Any views expressed in this publication are those of the author. Tey should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Te text may not be re-published in part or in full without the permission of NUPI and the authors. Visiting address: C.J. Hambros plass 2d Address: P.O. Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway Internet: effectivepeaceops.net | www.nupi.no E-mail: [email protected] Fax: [+ 47] 22 99 40 50 Tel: [+ 47] 22 99 40 00 Assessing the Efectiveness of the UN Missions in the DRC (MONUC-MONUSCO) Lead Author Dr Alexandra Novosseloff, International Peace Institute (IPI), New York and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo Co-authors Dr Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Prof. Tomas Mandrup, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and Royal Danish Defence College, Copenhagen Aaron Pangburn, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), New York Data Contributors Ryan Rappa and Paul von Chamier, Center on International Cooperation (CIC), New York University, New York EPON Series Editor Dr Cedric de Coning, NUPI External Reference Group Dr Tatiana Carayannis, SSRC, New York Lisa Sharland, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra Dr Charles Hunt, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Australia Adam Day, Centre for Policy Research, UN University, New York Cover photo: UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti UN Photo/ Abel Kavanagh Contents Acknowledgements 5 Acronyms 7 Executive Summary 13 Te effectiveness of the UN Missions in the DRC across eight critical dimensions 14 Strategic and Operational Impact of the UN Missions in the DRC 18 Constraints and Challenges of the UN Missions in the DRC 18 Current Dilemmas 19 Introduction 21 Section 1.
    [Show full text]
  • ACTIVE USG PROGRAMS for the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of the CONGO RESPONSE Last Updated 07/27/20
    ACTIVE USG PROGRAMS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO RESPONSE Last Updated 07/27/20 BAS-UELE HAUT-UELE ITURI S O U T H S U D A N COUNTRYWIDE NORTH KIVU OCHA IMA World Health Samaritan’s Purse AIRD Internews CARE C.A.R. Samaritan’s Purse Samaritan’s Purse IMA World Health IOM UNHAS CAMEROON DCA ACTED WFP INSO Medair FHI 360 UNICEF Samaritan’s Purse Mercy Corps IMA World Health NRC NORD-UBANGI IMC UNICEF Gbadolite Oxfam ACTED INSO NORD-UBANGI Samaritan’s WFP WFP Gemena BAS-UELE Internews HAUT-UELE Purse ICRC Buta SCF IOM SUD-UBANGI SUD-UBANGI UNHAS MONGALA Isiro Tearfund IRC WFP Lisala ACF Medair UNHCR MONGALA ITURI U Bunia Mercy Corps Mercy Corps IMA World Health G A EQUATEUR Samaritan’s NRC EQUATEUR Kisangani N Purse WFP D WFPaa Oxfam Boende A REPUBLIC OF Mbandaka TSHOPO Samaritan’s ATLANTIC NORTH GABON THE CONGO TSHUAPA Purse TSHOPO KIVU Lake OCEAN Tearfund IMA World Health Goma Victoria Inongo WHH Samaritan’s Purse RWANDA Mercy Corps BURUNDI Samaritan’s Purse MAI-NDOMBE Kindu Bukavu Samaritan’s Purse PROGRAM KEY KINSHASA SOUTH MANIEMA SANKURU MANIEMA KIVU WFP USAID/BHA Non-Food Assistance* WFP ACTED USAID/BHA Food Assistance** SA ! A IMA World Health TA N Z A N I A Kinshasa SH State/PRM KIN KASAÏ Lusambo KWILU Oxfam Kenge TANGANYIKA Agriculture and Food Security KONGO CENTRAL Kananga ACTED CRS Cash Transfers For Food Matadi LOMAMI Kalemie KASAÏ- Kabinda WFP Concern Economic Recovery and Market Tshikapa ORIENTAL Systems KWANGO Mbuji T IMA World Health KWANGO Mayi TANGANYIKA a KASAÏ- n Food Vouchers g WFP a n IMC CENTRAL y i k
    [Show full text]
  • Monusco and Drc Elections
    MONUSCO AND DRC ELECTIONS With current volatility over elections in Democratic Republic of the Congo, this paper provides background on the challenges and forewarns of MONUSCO’s inability to quell large scale electoral violence due to financial and logistical constraints. By Chandrima Das, Director of Peacekeeping Policy, UN Foundation. OVERVIEW The UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Dem- ment is asserting their authority and are ready to ocratic Republic of the Congo, known by the demonstrate their ability to hold credible elec- acronym “MONUSCO,” is critical to supporting tions. DRC President Joseph Kabila stated during peace and stability in the Democratic Republic the UN General Assembly high-level week in of the Congo (DRC). MONUSCO battles back September 2018: “I now reaffirm the irreversible militias, holds parties accountable to the peace nature of our decision to hold the elections as agreement, and works to ensure political stabil- planned at the end of this year. Everything will ity. Presidential elections were set to take place be done in order to ensure that these elections on December 23 of this year, after two years are peaceful and credible.” of delay. While they may be delayed further, MONUSCO has worked to train security ser- due to repressive tactics by the government, vices across the country to minimize excessive the potential for electoral violence and fraud is use of force during protests and demonstrations. high. In addition, due to MONUSCO’s capacity However, MONUSCO troops are spread thin restraints, the mission will not be able to protect across the entire country, with less than 1,000 civilians if large scale electoral violence occurs.
    [Show full text]
  • The International Response to Conflict and Genocide:Lessom from the Rwanda Experience
    The International Response to Conflict and Genocide: Lessons from the Rwanda Experience March 1996 Published by: Steering Committee of the Joint Evaluation of Emergency Assistance to Rwanda Editor: David Millwood Cover illustrations: Kiure F. Msangi Graphic design: Designgrafik, Copenhagen Prepress: Dansk Klich‚, Copenhagen Printing: Strandberg Grafisk, Odense ISBN: 87-7265-335-3 (Synthesis Report) ISBN: 87-7265-331-0 (1. Historical Perspective: Some Explanatory Factors) ISBN: 87-7265-332-9 (2. Early Warning and Conflict Management) ISBN: 87-7265-333-7 (3. Humanitarian Aid and Effects) ISBN: 87-7265-334-5 (4. Rebuilding Post-War Rwanda) This publication may be reproduced for free distribution and may be quoted provided the source - Joint Evaluation of Emergency Assistance to Rwanda - is mentioned. The report is printed on G-print Matt, a wood-free, medium-coated paper. G-print is manufactured without the use of chlorine and marked with the Nordic Swan, licence-no. 304 022. 2 The International Response to Conflict and Genocide: Lessons from the Rwanda Experience Study 2 Early Warning and Conflict Management by Howard Adelman York University Toronto, Canada Astri Suhrke Chr. Michelsen Institute Bergen, Norway with contributions by Bruce Jones London School of Economics, U.K. Joint Evaluation of Emergency Assistance to Rwanda 3 Contents Preface 5 Executive Summary 8 Acknowledgements 11 Introduction 12 Chapter 1: The Festering Refugee Problem 17 Chapter 2: Civil War, Civil Violence and International Response 20 (1 October 1990 - 4 August
    [Show full text]
  • UN Security Council, Children and Armed Conflict in the DRC, Report of the Secretary General, October
    United Nations S/2020/1030 Security Council Distr.: General 19 October 2020 Original: English Children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Report of the Secretary-General Summary The present report, submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) and subsequent resolutions, is the seventh report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 March 2020 and the information provided focuses on the six grave violations committed against children, the perpetrators thereof and the context in which the violations took place. The report sets out the trends and patterns of grave violations against children by all parties to the conflict and provides details on progress made in addressing grave violations against children, including through action plan implementation. The report concludes with a series of recommendations to end and prevent grave violations against children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and improve the protection of children. 20-13818 (E) 171120 *2013818* S/2020/1030 I. Introduction 1. The present report, submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) and subsequent resolutions, is the seventh report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and covers the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 March 2020. It contains information on the trends and patterns of grave violations against children since the previous report (S/2018/502) and an outline of the progress and challenges since the adoption by the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict of its conclusions on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in July 2018 (S/AC.51/2018/2).
    [Show full text]
  • Banyamulenge, Congolese Tutsis, Kinshasa
    Response to Information Request COD103417.FE Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada www.irb-cisr.gc.ca Français Home Contact Us Help Search canada.gc.ca Home > Research > Responses to Information Requests RESPONSES TO INFORMATION REQUESTS (RIRs) New Search | About RIRs | Help The Board 31 March 2010 About the Board COD103417.FE Biographies Organization Chart Democratic Republic of the Congo: The treatment of the Banyamulenge, or Congolese Tutsis, living in Kinshasa and in the provinces of North Kivu and South Employment Kivu Legal and Policy Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa References Publications Situation of the Banyamulenge in Kinshasa Tribunal Several sources consulted by the Research Directorate indicated that the Refugee Protection Banyamulenge, or Congolese Tutsis, do not have any particular problems in Division Kinshasa (Journalist 9 Mar. 2010; Le Phare 22 Feb. 2010; VSV 18 Feb. 2010). Immigration Division During a 18 February 2010 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, Immigration Appeal a representative of Voice of the Voiceless for the Defence of Human Rights (La Voix Division des sans voix pour les droits de l'homme, VSV), a human rights non-governmental Decisions organization (NGO) dedicated to defending human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (VSV n.d.), stated that his organization has never Forms been aware of [translation] “a case in which a person was mistreated by the Statistics authorities or the Kinshasa population in general” solely because that person was Research of Banyamulenge ethnic origin. Moreover, in correspondence sent to the Research Directorate on 22 February 2010, the manager of the Kinshasa newspaper Le Phare Research Program wrote the following: National Documentation [translation] Packages There are no problems where the Banyamulenge-or Tutsis-in Kinshasa are Issue Papers and concerned.
    [Show full text]
  • Who Belongs Where? Conflict, Displacement, Land and Identity in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
    Who Belongs Where? Conflict, Displacement, Land and Identity in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo CITIZENSHIP AND DISPLACEMENT IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION WORKING PAPER NO. 3 MARCH 2010 International Refugee Social Science Rights Initiative Research Council C ITIZENSHIP AND D ISPLACEMENT IN THE G REAT L AKES W ORKING P APER NO. 3 Background to the Paper This paper is the result of a co-ordinated effort between staff from the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) and the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). The field research was carried out by Joseph Okumu and Kibukila Ben Bonome, and the paper was drafted by Lucy Hovil of IRRI. Deirdre Clancy and Olivia Bueno of IRRI, Josh DeWind of SSRC, and Bronwen Manby of AfriMAP, the Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project of the Open Society Institute, reviewed and edited the material. The field research team would like to express its gratitude to all those who participated in the study, in particular those displaced by the conflict. Citizenship and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region Working Paper Series The paper is the third in a series of working papers that form part of a collaborative project between the International Refugee Rights Initiative, the Social Science Research Council, and civil society and academic partners in the Great Lakes region. The project seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the linkages between conflicts over citizenship and belonging in the Great Lakes region, and forced displacement. It employs social science research under a human rights framework in order to illuminate how identity affects the experience of the displaced before, during, and after their displacement.
    [Show full text]