Further information on the situation in DRC :
Over a three-week period the delegation will meet with the highest representatives of regional and international institutions, working for the re-establishment of peace and justice in DRC, calling upon them to take concrete and effective measures to fight impunity.
In Geneva, from 16 to 21 March, the delegation met with representatives at the United Nations Human Rights Council, including the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in DRC.
In Brussels, from 21 to 30 March, the delegation will meet with Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and of the Council, as well as delegations of the EU Member States.
In The Hague, from March 30 to 3 April, the delegation will meet with representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry of the International Criminal Court to discuss the Court’s investigation and prosecution of crimes of sexual violence, the implementation of victims’ rights and the specific needs of victims of these crimes.
In Paris, from 3 to 5 April, the delegation will meet with French authorities, in particular Ms Rama Yade, Secretary of State for Human rights.
Members of the delegation:
Grâce Cécile LULA HAMBA, Coordinator of the Ligue des femmes pour le développement et l’éducation à la démocratie (LIFDED)
LIFDED, based in Kinshasa, organises awareness raising campaigns and training sessions on women’s rights, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, non-violence, peace-building, elections and good governance.
Marie MOSSI MOTA, Member of the Association africaine des droits de l’Homme (ASADHO) and the Réseau Action Femme (RAF)
RAF was started in 1994 and gathers together 54 organisations defending women’s rights. RAF particularly focuses on fighting impunity for violence against women. Since 1996, RAF has joined the international women’s movement in marking the yearly 16 days of activism, from 25 November to 10 December, devoted to the promotion and protection of women’s rights.
Julienne LUSENGE, Coordinator of Solidarité féminine pour la paix et le développement intégral (SOFEPADI), Nord-Kivu/Ituri
SOFEPADI works in Béni and in Ituri to promote and defend the rights of women and children, with a strong focus on fighting impunity and promoting justice, in order to end the cycles of violence in DRC. The organisation seeks justice for victims of sexual violence perpetrated by elements of rebel groups and soldiers in the national army.
Paul NSAPU, President of the Ligue des Électeurs (LE), FIDH Secretary General
The Ligue des Électeurs was created in 1990. It aims to support democratic development through promoting human rights and an elections culture. LE provides training for members of civil society associations as actors in promoting democracy and carries out general public awareness-raising activities on human rights and international election monitoring and observation missions.
Dismas KITENGE SENGA, President of the Groupe Lotus, FIDH Vice President
The Groupe Lotus is based in Kisangani. It denounces violations of human rights, alerts public opinion and investigates the actions of the authorities to promote respect for the rule of law by government. It supports men and women who suffer from discrimination and oppression on the grounds of their social groups, ethnicity, religion or political opinions. It provides information and training and promotes the values of human rights and democratic principles in DRC.
Freddy KITOKO, lawyer at the Lubumbashi bar, Vice-president of the Association africaine des droits de l’Homme (ASADHO)
ASADHO was created in 1991 with the following mission: defending, promoting and safeguarding individual and collective rights and freedoms; obtaining respect for the primacy of law and the independent justice in order to strengthen the rule of law as the basis of a democratic society; and contributing to increased general awareness of human rights.