Democratic Republic of Congo: Further information: Two year prison term for six LUCHA activists
Six members of the Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) youth movement have been sentenced to two years in prison on charges of “attempting to incite disobedience”. The six were arrested on 16 February in Goma, hours before a general strike held in protest against delays in organizing the 2016 general elections in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Further Information on UA: 37/16 Index: AFR 62/3530/2016 Democratic Republic of Congo Date: 29 February 2016
URGENT ACTION
TWO YEAR PRISON TERM FOR SIX LUCHA ACTIVISTS
Six members of the Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) youth movement have been
sentenced to two years in prison on charges of “attempting to incite disobedience”. The
six were arrested on 16 February in Goma, hours before a general strike held in protest
against delays in organizing the 2016 general elections in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rebecca Kavugho, Serge Sivyavugha, Justin Kambale Mutsongo, Melka Kamundu, John Anipenda and
Ghislain Muhiwa were sentenced to two years in prison on 24 February immediately after closing arguments in
their case were delivered by the prosecutor and the defence teams. They remain detained at Muzenze prison in
Goma. Their lawyers intend to appeal this decision within 10 days.
In the early morning of 16 February, authorities forced their way into a house where the six LUCHA activists had
spent the night preparing messages for the general strike, called for by the opposition and civil society. The general
strike was in protest against attempts to delay preparations for the 2016 general elections, which would extend
President Kabila’s rule beyond the timeframe outlined in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC).
Amnesty International believes the six activists have been convicted solely for peacefully exercising their rights to
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and considers them to be prisoners of conscience.
Please write immediately in French or your own language:
Calling on the DRC authorities to drop all charges against the six LUCHA activists in Goma and to
immediately and unconditionally release them;
Urging them to ensure that the six LUCHA activists are not subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while
in detention.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 11 APRIL 2016 TO:
Minister of Justice
Monsieur Alexis Tambwe Mwamba
Ministry of Justice
228 Avenue de Lemera
BP 3137
Kinshasa – Gombe
DRC
Email: minjustdh@gmail.com
Salutation: Honourable Minister
Minister of Interior and Security
Professor Evariste Boshab
Ministry of Interior and Security
Avenue Roi Baudoin
Kinshasa – Gombe
DRC
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. This is the first update of UA 37/16. Further information:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr62/3462/2016/en/
URGENT ACTION
TWO YEAR PRISON TERM FOR SIX LUCHA ACTIVISTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The DRC’s Constitution limits a presidential mandate to two consecutive five years terms. Tensions have increased as the
incumbent President Kabila is prevented by the Constitution to seek another term after he was declared the winner of two
consecutive elections in 2006 and 2011.
President Kabila has never declared his intention to stay in power beyond the Constitution’s limit of terms. However, there have
been several attempts by the ruling majority to change the Constitution to allow him to stay in office or extend his rule beyond
the timeframe fixed by the Constitution.
LUCHA is a youth movement that was created in Goma, eastern DRC in 2012. It is a community based organization the holds
sit-ins, demonstration and other actions to campaign for human rights and on social issues. LUCHA has been vocal in
campaigning calling for the authorities to observe electoral deadlines in the Constitution, and for the president to respect term
limits as enshrined in the Constitution.
The government has accused LUCHA of being criminal movement, set up with the aim of disturbing public order. At least 19
people connected to LUCHA are currently in jail.
Name: Rebecca Kavugho, Serge Sivyavugha, Justin Kambale Mutsongo, Melka Kamundu, John Anipenda and Ghislain Muhiwa
Gender m/f: Both
Further information on UA: 37/16 Index: AFR 62/3530/2016 Issue Date: 29 February 2016