Public statement  Posté le 09-04-2021 16:14, modifié le 09-04-2021 08:14 par Tournons la Page

On Tuesday April 6, 2021, our organizations noted that human rights defender Dr. Alexandre Ibacka Dzabana ("Platform of NGOs for Human Rights and Democracy"), arrested since March 11, 2021, and pro-democracy activist Christ Dongui ("Ras Le Bol Citizen Movement"), arrested since March 25, 2021, were brought before the Brazzaville Tribunal of Grand Instance (TGI) and placed under committal order on the spurious grounds of "undermining the internal security of the State". They are now being held at Brazzaville's House of Arrest and Correction (MAC-B). We believe that they should never have been arrested, and that this first step in the judicial process must in all cases be transparent, impartial and respectful of the rule of law, which was not the case. Their detentions were arbitrary, with no respect for the length of time they were held in police detention. This situation constitutes a legitimate reason for their release.

On Friday April 9, 2021, the defendants are due to appear before the public prosecutor's judges for a substantive hearing on the charges against them. Our organizations recall that the role of the judicial authorities is to rigorously apply the law and ensure that rights and freedoms are guaranteed in all circumstances.

In a statement issued on March 29, 2021, 14 Congolese, French and international organizations called on the authorities of the Republic of Congo to release and protect human rights defenders and activists arbitrarily detained on the spurious grounds of "undermining internal state security" at the Central Intelligence and Documentation Centre (CID) in Brazzaville, in flagrant violation of their fundamental rights.

As the CID's reports are considered as simple information, the opportunity is given to the judges of the public prosecutor's office to correct actions that are contrary to the laws and regulations of the Republic, as well as to regional and international conventions and treaties ratified by the Republic of Congo in terms of respect for human rights. Under Congolese law, detention is an exceptional measure. It must be based on solid and substantial facts and evidence. Our organizations therefore once again call on the Congolese authorities to release all human rights defenders and civil society actors arbitrarily detained in the country.

Signatories:

ACAT Congo

ACAT France

Agir ensemble pour les droits humains

FIACAT

FIDH, dans le cadre de l’Observatoire pour la Protection des Défenseurs des Droits de l'Homme

Observatoire Congolais des Droits de l’Homme (OCDH)

OMCT (Organisation mondiale contre la torture), dans le cadre de l’Observatoire pour la Protection des Défenseurs des Droits de l'Homme

Plateforme des ONG des droits de l’Homme et de la démocratie (Rép. Congo)

Mouvement Ras Le Bol Congo

Collectif Sassoufit

Tournons La Page

Tournons La Page Congo