Write for Rights Case Study: Fred and Yves, Democratic Republic of Congo

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In March of this year, members of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s National Intelligence Agency, Agence Nationale de Renseignement (ANR), launched a raid on a youth workshop and launch by the pro-democracy movement Filimbi. On that day, and in subsequent weeks and months throughout this year, many people have been arrested in Congo amid what seems to be a coordinated campaign by the Congolese government to silence political dissent in the lead up to next year’s elections. Two members from these March raids are still in prison today. Their names are Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala. These two men were detained for over 40 days prior to any charges being laid against them, weredenied access to legal assistance and contact with family members. These circumstances are in clear contravention of Congo’s constitution, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Fred and Yves are still awaiting trial upon charges including conspiracy against the head of state, and inciting people to take up arms against state authority. In public the Congolese communications minister, Lambert Mende, has also accused the pair of planning terrorist activities and a violent insurrection against the government. These charges appear to be politically motivated and are not based on any credible evidence. This lack of evidence was even recognised by the Congolese parliament’s report on the group in late March, which found no evidence of plans for violent crimes by members or workshop participants of Filimbi. Fred and Yves are peaceful pro-democracy activists, simply exercising their right to freedom of association by encouraging others to actively participate in the democratic process in Congo.

Enough is enough. Call on the Congolese authorities to drop these absurd charges and release Fred and Yves immediately, and release and drop charges against other activists, opposition party members, and others detained solely for their political views or having participated in peaceful activities.