12 of 27 individuals who are unspecified

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: -4.038333

Longitude: 21.758664

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: Individuals targeted were mostly human rights defenders, but also included journalists and a traditional leader who provided information to MONUSCO on human rights concerns and threats to civilians. Some individuals reported human rights violations by armed groups, police and military forces, including conflict-related sexual violence.

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant, member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal: Individuals targeted were mostly human rights defenders, but also included journalists and a traditional leader who provided information to MONUSCO on human rights concerns and threats to civilians. Some individuals reported human rights violations by armed groups, police and military forces, including conflict-related sexual violence.

They were accused of collaborating with MONUSCO and sharing information that resulted in the issuing of an arrest warrant for the commander of the armed group.

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Location of mentioned reprisals: in the conflict-affected areas of the Eastern part of the country

Reprisal information: Alleged perpetrators include judicial police officers, judicial inspectors, administrators, members of the intelligence services (ANR), military personnel (FARDC) and the national police (PNC), as well as armed groups.

Four journalists who engaged in community sensitization activities in collaboration with MONUSCO, the United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, and the Ebola Emergency Response Team in Biakato, Ituri province, reportedly received repeated death threats and their family members were harassed by an armed group. The four journalists were forced to relocate. Another journalist and the director of a community radio station were killed by an armed group. Nine human rights defenders in the Masisi territory of North Kivu reportedly received death threats from the commander and members of an armed group. They were accused of collaborating with MONUSCO and sharing information that resulted in the issuing of an arrest warrant for the commander of the armed group. As a result, in June 2019, several human rights defenders were forced to relocate.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: Yes

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: No