Rights group notes growth in ceasefire violations

The main national human rights group in the DRC, ASADHO, in its latest report has noted a growing number of human rights violations by both the government and the rebel movements. Radio France Internationale (RFI) quoted the group’s chairman, David Banza, as saying that since the government had banned political parties and public demonstrations, “one observes that the political parties, human rights activists and the press are continually persecuted and harassed by government authorities”. He also pointed out that on the rebels’ side, “massacres and the assassination of civilians” have been noted. “This is essentially because the rebel movements or factions are not tolerated in the DRC,” he said. “The pressure is such that most of us go into exile or keep quiet.” “We must salute the courage of human rights activists who continue to shout from the roof tops that this must absolutely end and that both the Kinshasa political leaders and the rebel leaders could take part in the democratisation process and work especially for the success of the peace process, which is interrupted today,” the ASADHO chairman said. He added that a “financial mafia” had been established in the DRC regime “from the ministries to the provinces and the diplomatic sector”. “A minister who is dismissed for embezzlement finds his way back into power the next day,” he said.