Democratic Republic of Congo: Activists arrested hours before strike
Six youth activists from the youth movement Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) were arrested in Goma just hours before a general strike called for by the political opposition and civil society. The general strike was in protest against delays in the preparations for the 2016 presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
UA: 37/16 Index: AFR 62/3462/2016 Democratic Republic of Congo Date: 19 February 2016
URGENT ACTION
ACTIVISTS ARRESTED HOURS BEFORE STRIKE
Six youth activists from the youth movement Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) were
arrested in Goma just hours before a general strike called for by the political opposition
and civil society. The general strike was in protest against delays in the preparations for
the 2016 presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Six activists from the youth movement LUCHA were arrested in the early morning of 16 February in Goma. Armed
security agents forced their way into the house where Rebecca Kavugho, Serge Sivyavugha, Justin Kambale
Mutsongo, Melka Kamundu, John Anipenda, and Ghislain Muhiwa had gathered. The six had prepared some
pamphlets for the general strike with messages urging the government to ensure that the 2016 general elections
were held within constitutional deadlines.
Authorities announced on 17 February that the six would be brought before the High Court of Goma on 18
February for an accelerated hearing. This judicial procedure is applied to people who are ‘caught in the act of
intentionally committing a crime’.
At the first hearing on 18 February, the court identified the six accused and evidence against them was presented
by the public prosecutor. They have been charged with ‘inciting racial hatred’ and ‘belonging to a criminal
organization’. The hearing will resume at noon on 19 February.
Amnesty International considers the six to be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for peacefully exercising
their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Please write immediately in French or your own language:
Urging the Congolese authorities to drop the charges against the six activists detained in Goma and
immediately and unconditionally release them;
Urging them to ensure that the six activists are not subjected to any torture or other ill-treatment while in
detention and are given prompt access to their family, lawyer and any medical attention they may require.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 1 APRIL 2016 TO:
Minister of Justice
Monsieur Alexis Tambwe Mwamba
Ministère de la Justice
228 Avenyue de Lemera
BP 3137
Kinshasa-Gombe
RDC
Email: minjustdh@gmail.com
Salutation: Honourable Minister
Minister of Interior and Security
Professor Evariste Boshab
Ministry of Interior and Security
Avenue Roi Baudouin
Kinshasa-Gombe
RDC
Email: ngomamundulu@gmail.com
Salutation: Honourable Minister
And copies to:
Prime Minister
His Excellency Augustin Matata Ponyo
Office of the Prime Minister
5 avenue Roi Baudoin
Kinshasa/Gombe, DRC
Email: cabinet@primature.cd
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
ACTIVISTS ARRESTED HOURS BEFORE STRIKE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DRC’s President Joseph Kabila has been in office since 2001 and was declared winner of the 2006 and 2011 elections. The
Congolese constitution limits a president to two consecutive terms. As the November 2016 elections draw closer, calls for
President Kabila to step down have intensified, as has the government’s crackdown on those voicing these views.
Opposition leaders and civil society organizations called for a general strike (known as ville morte, or dead city) on 16 February.
They asked the population to stay at home to protest delays in the preparation for the presidential elections due to take place in
DRC by the end of 2016. LUCHA supported the general strike.
LUCHA is a youth movement that was created in Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu in the DRC, in 2012. The movement
is known for its peaceful actions. They organize sit-ins, demonstrations and other actions to claim their rights and those of the
people of DRC. They have continuously called for the organization of elections within constitutional deadlines and for respect of
presidential term limits outlined in DRC’s Constitution.
The authorities have accused LUCHA of being a criminal movement, set up with the aim of disturbing public order. At least 19 of
their members and sympathisers are currently detained.
Name: Rebecca Kavugho, Serge Sivyavugha, Justin Kambale Mutsongo, Melka Kamundu, John Anipenda, and Ghislain Muhiwa
Gender m/f: Both
UA: 37/16 Index: AFR 62/3462/2016 Issue Date: 19 February 2016