SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO APPEALS FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE COUNTRY

25 October 2002



Iulia Antoanella Motoc, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has welcomed the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the implementation of the Pretoria and Luanda agreements. She encouraged the holding of the inter-Congolese dialogue which would result in the putting in place of mechanisms to allow new institutions to function.
The Special Rapporteur expressed her concern about the increase of violations of human rights during the withdrawal of the foreign forces. She underscored that the withdrawal of foreign troops must not be an opportunity or a pretext for the commitment of human rights violations. She appealed to all the parties to respect all human rights.
Ms. Motoc condemned the resumption of the armed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo which resulted in massive violations of human rights, as well as the deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Finally, Ms. Motoc expressed her disapproval of the end of the moratorium on the death penalty which she considered to have set back the Government's stance on human rights, and called on the authorities to reconsider this decision.



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