By Badylon Kawanda Bakiman
The Consortium called “ PRO-DDH ” (Protection of Human Rights Defenders in DR Congo), a platform bringing together six non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central Africa, has made every effort to awaken the consciousness of several state actors in the city of Kikwit, Kwilu province, in the southwest of the country.
The event took place over two days, on December 9 and 10, 2021 in the large hall of the “Lupemba Cultural Center” in the municipality of Lukolela.
This activity called ’’Espace de Dialogue Citoyen ” (EDC), was part of the celebration of the “ International Human Rights Day ”, the 73rd of its kind, celebrated every 10 December.
The ” PRO-DH Consortium ” organized this event in collaboration with the ” National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) ”, one of the institutions supporting democracy in the DRC and this with financial support of the European Union.
The occasion was auspicious for Master Valentin Mbalanda, head of LIDEPROV-LDH, an organization member of the PRO-DDH Consortium, in order to develop mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders while elucidating the very concepts of human rights; the role and work of human rights defenders; mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights; the principles and natures of human rights, their different generations, their characteristics; the various legal instruments that speak of it at national, regional and international level.
Master Mbalanda did not forget to develop the duties of the Citizen while evoking the difference between “Human Rights Violation”, “Human Rights Abuse and Offenses”.
For his part, Maitre Davin Nzwanga, head of the CNDH in this part of the country, spoke of the “role and functioning of the CNDH” regarding human rights in the country.
“The CNDH is a technical and advisory body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights. It ensures respect for human rights and the mechanisms for guaranteeing fundamental freedoms. In carrying out its mission, the CNDH is subject only to the rule of law, “he said.
As for him, Freddy ELUMBA, first deputy of the public prosecutor at the Tribunal de Grande Instance of the city of Kikwit, as well as colonel NGOLELA Lajos, representative of the Superior Auditor at the Military Court of Bandundu, have, in turn, turn, elucidated the efforts that justice combines for the security and respect for human rights both on the civilian and military side.
The two speakers made every effort to explain some offenses condemned by law such as “robbery” “; “The scam”; “Arbitrary arrest”; “Armed robbery” etc.
All participants were invited to pass on the materials received to their respective bases.
Note that the “PRO-DH Consortium” brings together NGOs such as the VSV (the Voiceless Voice for Human Rights); the NSCC (the New Congolese Civil Society); the CR (the Rural Cause); the ANMDH (Friends of Nelson Mandela for the Defense of Human Rights); CAFCO (the permanent framework for consultation of Congolese women) as well as LIDEPROV-LDH (the Congolese League for the Defense, Promotion and Popularization of Laws and Human Rights.
These meetings were opened and closed by the representative of the mayor of the city of Kikwit. (END)
