the vice-chair of a local civil society coordination structure and member of an NGO promoting the rights of women farmers

Cases
Location of case in SG report
2025-039-001
Relevant SG report
Year of the report
2025
Country Geolocation

Latitude: -4.038333

Longitude: 21.758664

Country Geolocation (linked Cases)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
From Region
Gender
Female
Was the victim a foreign national?
No
Was the victim a minor?
No
Individual's/organization's activity

the vice-chair of a local civil society coordination structure and member of an NGO promoting the rights of women farmers, and who served as a focal point for UNJHRO,

Type of rights defended
  • Other
  • Women’s rights
Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?
No
Reported trigger of reprisal

served as a focal point for UNJHRO; was accused of sharing information with the United Nations and of leasing her land for the establishment of a MONUSCO base

Engagement with UN body
  • UN Peace Operation / Political mission
Dates of mentioned reprisals
June 2024
Location of mentioned reprisals
DRC
Reprisal information

abducted from her residence by approximately 40 armed individuals identifying themselves as members of the “Wazalendo”, a loose coalition of various local armed groups. The armed individuals allegedly looted her residence, took her to an isolated location, and subjected her to severe physical assault. During her captivity, she was accused of sharing information with the United Nations and of leasing her land for the establishment of a MONUSCO base. After two days, some members of the armed group allegedly facilitated her escape.

Types of reprisals suffered
  • Disappearance/Kidnapping
  • Physical attack: Physical attack - General
  • Property damage/raid/search/confiscation
Alleged/likely perpetrators
Non-state actor(s)
Was the reprisal based on new legislation?
No
Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?
No
Further case development
  1. During the reporting period, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) documented seven incidents of reprisals against male (2) and female (5) civil society actors, mostly human rights defenders, including three youth, for cooperation with the Mission, described below. Four incidents were attributed to the Movement du 23 Mars (M23), two to local armed groups, and one to State actors, in different locations in conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals.
  2. According to information received by OHCHR, the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) continued to be openly hostile towards human rights defenders and journalists whom they accused of reporting on M23’s activities, including to the United Nations. This public hostility worsened during the reporting period, when the M23 gained control of large territories, including Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities of the Eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, and publicly banned activities of civil society actors, human rights defenders and independent media in occupied areas and systematically targeted them. The number of reported cases of reprisals for cooperation with UNJHRO and other United Nations agencies in the affected areas during the period is believed to underrepresent the actual figures. Many victims fled or went into hiding before they could report allegations of human rights violations to the United Nations, and in some instances, UNJHRO could not secure their consent for fear of further reprisals. Cases in other provinces are also likely under-reported due to a lack of communication infrastructure hindering access to victims and reporting as well as to limited awareness of what constitutes reprisals, the importance of reporting them, and how to do so.
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