UN human rights rapporteur “satisfied” with Kabila meeting

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the DRC, Roberto Garreton - who is currently visiting the country - said he was satisfied with his meeting with President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa on Monday. They discussed a number of issues of concern, including the liberalisation of political party activities recently announced by the Kabila government. In comments broadcast by Congolese state television, Garreton said the government had “completely misinterpreted” the move “to the extent of making it meaningless”. Garreton was informed that the government was reviewing the matter in order to provide a “true interpretation of the law”. Garreton expressed concern for some 88 people who have been detained as part of an enquiry into the assassination of former president Laurent-Desire Kabila. He also informed Joseph Kabila of his interest in establishing a commission of enquiry into massacres in eastern DRC alleged to have occurred during the 1996-1997 war to topple the late DRC leader Mobutu Sese Seko. “The president assured me of his total cooperation concerning the conduct of the enquiry,” Garreton stated. Asked by journalists for his opinion regarding a possible tribunal to investigate alleged massacres currently taking place in eastern DRC, Garreton said he would “support any possible approach that will punish crimes against humanity” pending “adequate support from the international community.” Roberto Garreton also met Congo’s deputy foreign minister Msimua Bisharua on Monday, Congolese state television reported. It said they discussed a decision by the UN human rights commission not to proceed with human rights investigations in Rwanda. At a meeting the same day with DRC Interior Minister Mira Ndjokou, talks reportedly focused on the interpretation of laws governing political parties. Ndjokou informed Garreton that former political parties could resume their activities once they had updated their files at the interior ministry, in accordance with the law. Later, at a meeting with Justice Minister Masudi Ngele, discussions reportedly centred on the evolution of the cases of certain detainees.