[{"command":"settings","settings":{"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"core\/picturefill,entity_embed\/caption,views\/views.ajax,views\/views.module","theme":"hrw_design","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":[],"views":{"ajax_path":"\/views\/ajax","ajaxViews":{"views_dom_id:blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__296671__en":{"view_name":"blog_live_feed","view_display_id":"blog_body_block","view_args":"296671","view_path":"\/blog\/content\/296671","view_base_path":null,"view_dom_id":"blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__296671__en","pager_element":0}}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"0ae5601d8790ff50fca3cf23b9ac9170285f2f75823ebdc8d9cc054bc03a679b"}},"merge":true},{"command":"add_css","data":"\u003Clink rel=\u0022stylesheet\u0022 media=\u0022all\u0022 href=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/css\/css_reI-6YIYy-k9pvxm-gaCRrn5cSrTZRtyAMrp4YXDUJw.css\u0022 \/\u003E\n"},{"command":"add_js","selector":"body","data":[{"src":"\/sites\/default\/files\/js\/js_VkK39bvB4H6LLVemwPFz8QWcUMTFqZ3FFo_LBVv_4vs.js"}]},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":".js-view-dom-id-blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__296671__en","data":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-view-dom-id-blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__296671__en\u0022\u003E\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022blog-block__content__description rich-text pt-6 mb:pt-10 mx-auto\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed\u0022 data-type=\u0022image\u0022\u003E\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed align-right embedded-entity embedded-entity-type-media embedded-entity-bundle-image embedded-entity-viewmode-embeddable embed--right\u0022\u003E\n \n\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \n \n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\u0022figure figure--expand text-center\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022figure__media relative inline-block mx-auto\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/modal\/30227\u0022 rel=\u0022modal:open\u0022 class=\u0022figure__link\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg srcset=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/480w\/public\/multimedia_images_2016\/r56a2145.jpg?itok=NVUG03JS 480w, \/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/embed_xxl\/public\/multimedia_images_2016\/r56a2145.jpg?itok=4dh6Jpi2 850w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(max-width: 524px) 100px, 500px\u0022 data-responsive-image-style=\u0022embedded_images\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/embed_xxl\/public\/multimedia_images_2016\/r56a2145.jpg?itok=4dh6Jpi2\u0022 width=\u0022850\u0022 height=\u0022639\u0022 alt=\u0022Police clear a road after protesters erected barricades on September 19, 2016 in Kinshasa.\u0022 loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022figure__expand absolute block bottom-0 right-0 w-8 h-8 bg-white text-gray-700\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022sr-only\u0022\u003EClick to expand Image\u003C\/span\u003E\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022icon fill-current w-full inline-block\u0022\u003E\n \u003Csvg viewbox=\u00220 0 20 20\u0022 fill=\u0022currentColor\u0022 role=\u0022img\u0022 focusable=\u0022false\u0022 aria-hidden=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u003Cuse xlink:href=\u0022\/themes\/custom\/hrw_design\/dist\/app-drupal\/assets\/spritemap.svg?cacheBuster=#sprite-expand\u0022\u003E\u003C\/use\u003E\u003C\/svg\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022figure__info text-left font-serif text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base mx-auto text-gray-700 mt-1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022figure__caption\u0022\u003EPolice clear\u00a0a road after protesters erected barricades\u00a0on September 19, 2016 in Kinshasa.\n\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022figure__credit\u0022\u003E\u00a9 2016 Radio Okapi\/Ph. John Bompengo\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u201cRassemblement\u201d opposition coalition in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for nationwide demonstrations Saturday to show President Joseph Kabila the \u201cfinal yellow card,\u201d a soccer reference to serve as a warning, exactly one month before the end of his constitutionally mandated two term limit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EGiven the brutal \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2016\/10\/13\/eu-impose-targeted-sanctions-against-senior-officials-democratic-republic-congo\u0022\u003Erepression\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2015\/10\/06\/dr-congo-officials-linked-attack-protesters\u0022\u003Eviolence\u003C\/a\u003E that has characterized past \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2015\/01\/24\/dr-congo-deadly-crackdown-protests\u0022\u003Edemonstrations\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 particularly in September, we thought it would be useful to provide an overview on the rights and responsibilities of protesters, political party leaders, government officials, and security forces, according to Congolese and international law:\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPeople in the Democratic Republic of Congo have the right to express their opinions in a peaceful manner without having to fear repression by the authorities. Security forces have an obligation to remain apolitical, and they must not encroach upon people\u2019s fundamental right to peaceful assembly. \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECongo ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976. Article 19 of the covenant states that \u201ceveryone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression.\u201d Article 21 of the covenant specifies that \u201cthe right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized,\u201d while Article 22 says, \u201cEveryone shall have the right to freedom of association with others.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EThe freedoms of expression and assembly are also enshrined in articles 23 and 26 of the Congolese constitution. Article 23 stipulates that \u201cAll persons have the right to freedom of expression. This right implies the freedom to express their opinions or their convictions, notably by speech, print and pictures, under reserve of respect of the law, for public order and for morality.\u201d Article 26 of the Constitution says that \u201cthe freedom of demonstration is guaranteed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EArticle 11 of the African Charter for Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights, ratified by the Congolese government in 1987, also specifies that \u201cEvery individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others. The exercise of this right shall be subject only to necessary restrictions provided for by law, in particular those enacted in the interest of national security, the safety, health, ethics and rights and freedoms of others.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli value=\u00222\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProtesters are required to \u003Cem\u003Einform\u003C\/em\u003E the authorities in advance of a public meeting or demonstration. Prior authorization is not required. Registration as an association is not required. \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to article 26 of the Constitution, \u201cAll demonstrations on public roads or in open air require the organizers to inform the competent administrative authority in writing.\u201d Article 29 of the current electoral law further clarifies that \u201cwritten statements have to be submitted to competent local authorities at least 24 hours before [the demonstration].\u201d This abrogates previous legislation from 1999, which required protesters to solicit permission prior to protests.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003ENothing in Congolese law prohibits people from peacefully protesting without being registered as an association. In December 2015, the mayor of Goma \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2015\/12\/09\/dr-congo-free-political-prisoners\u0022\u003Ewrongfully called\u003C\/a\u003E on the youth movement Struggle for Change (LUCHA) to cease all activities for lack of legal administrative documents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EAs per article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, \u201cNo restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right [of peaceful assembly] other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli value=\u00223\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe national police are primarily charged with ensuring public order and the orderly conduct of demonstrations, including the safety of protesters. The army can only intervene under exceptional circumstances. The Republican Guard has no role to play in ensuring public order during demonstrations. \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArticle 2 of the 2011 law on the organization and functioning of the police gives the national police force the primary responsibility for ensuring public order and the orderly conduct of demonstrations, including the safety of protesters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Congolese army (FARDC) can only intervene with the aim of protecting people and property under exceptional circumstances, such as reinforcing police overwhelmed by an unfolding security situation. The 2009 law on the functioning and administration of the FARDC clarifies that the army can only intervene during demonstrations following a written request by the police.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EAs for the Republican Guard presidential security detail, their principle responsibility is to secure the president and his official property, as per article 153 of the 2011 army law. They are not allowed to ensure public order during demonstrations or elections.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp style=\u0022margin-left:36pt;\u0022\u003E4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u003Cstrong\u003ERestrictions on the use of force \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EThe use of lethal or non-lethal force must be legal, necessary, and proportional to the threat, and all other precautions must have been exhausted. Security forces can only resort to lethal force if it is absolutely necessary to protect human life, as stipulated in articles 8 and 9 of the 2011 police law. For police to intervene with force, they need to receive orders from their superiors and must not act on their own initiative, according to article 75 of the 2011 police law. No security officer has the right to give orders to upset public order or shoot at peaceful protesters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli value=\u00225\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResponsibilities of Protest Leaders\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeaders of political parties and activist organizations should take necessary steps to prevent or stop their members and supporters from engaging in or inciting violence during demonstrations and other activities. They should appropriately discipline those who engage in violence.\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\u003C\/div\u003E\n","settings":null}]