1. Home
  2. Africa
  3. DRC
  • News

RCD "crackdown" on civil society condemned

The rights group, Human Rights Watch, has condemned an "ongoing crackdown" by the rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) on civil society groups and human rights activists in eastern DRC. In a press release, issued on Wednesday, HRW called on the RCD to "immediately and
unconditionally" release all detained activists and allow groups to "express their views openly". It said "outspoken and courageous members of civil society" were being "threatened and attacked" by the RCD authorities.

Humanitarian sources in eastern DRC told IRIN there had been some arrests. However they pointed out that many civil society groups in the region were partisan and promoted the human rights of certain ethnic groups. The sources added that a strike had been underway in Bukavu since Friday and that groups of young men were harassing people who tried to go to work.


This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

Share this article

Our ability to deliver compelling, field-based reporting on humanitarian crises rests on a few key principles: deep expertise, an unwavering commitment to amplifying affected voices, and a belief in the power of independent journalism to drive real change.

We need your help to sustain and expand our work. Your donation will support our unique approach to journalism, helping fund everything from field-based investigations to the innovative storytelling that ensures marginalised voices are heard.

Please consider joining our membership programme. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact on how the world responds to crises.

Become a member of The New Humanitarian

Support our journalism and become more involved in our community. Help us deliver informative, accessible, independent journalism that you can trust and provides accountability to the millions of people affected by crises worldwide.

Join