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27 September 2000





Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the first time from 1 to 3 October 2000.

In Kinshasa, Mrs. Robinson will meet with President Laurent Désiré Kabila as well as with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Human Rights. The High Commissioner also plans to meet with the Secretary-General's Special Representative to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kamel Morjane, as well as with diplomats, religious leaders, and representatives of civil society, especially members of non-governmental organizations working for the promotion and protection of human rights.

On 3 October, Mrs. Robinson will visit Goma in south Kivu province in the east of the country. She will meet there with senior members of the Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie (RCD) rebel group and with representatives of non-governmental organizations who defend human rights and are based in Goma.

Upon her return to Kinshasa on 3 October in the afternoon, the High Commissioner and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will sign a protocol concerning the opening in Goma of an extension office to her office in Kinshasa which has been functioning since 1996.



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