We condemn last week's violence against protesters who gathered in the capital Kinshasa to oppose what they regard to be attempts to amend the Constitution to allow the incumbent President to run for a third term.
It is troubling that at least one protester was reportedly killed and at least 38 others injured during the 12 June demonstration, among them four opposition leaders. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has the obligation to facilitate peaceful assemblies and protect the participants, and any use of force by law enforcement must be strictly of last resort and fully comply with the limitations placed on it by international human rights law.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomes the authorities' announcement that they will investigate the incident, and calls for those investigations to be effective, independent, transparent and impartial, and for anyone found responsible for conduct amounting to violations of human rights to be brought to justice, in a process respecting fair trial guarantees.
He urges the DRC authorities to respect and ensure full enjoyment of the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly, in the lead up to presidential and parliamentary elections in 2028.
