SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO TO VISIT COUNTRY BEGINNING 28 AUGUST

HR/99/79
24 August 1999





The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Roberto Garreton, will visit that
country from 28 August through 6 September at the invitation of the
Government.

During the visit, the Special Rapporteur will first stop in
Kinshasa, where he will meet with the highest civilian, judicial and
military authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr.
Garreton will also meet with representatives of non-governmental
organizations concerned with the protection and promotion of human
rights, with heads of political parties and unions, with journalists,
with magistrates, and with representatives of international
humanitarian organizations. Visits to several prisons and detention
centres are also anticipated.

The Special Rapporteur will then travel to the east of the country,
including to Goma and Bukavu, cities now under the control of the
Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD), an armed group
opposed to the Congolese Government.

Information gathered during this visit will appear in the Special
Rapporteur's upcoming report to the General Assembly.

The Special Rapporteur, whose mandate was renewed on 27 April 1999
by the Commission on Human Rights, last visited the country from 16 to
23 February of this year.