 
Urgent Action for human rights in the Congo!
November 2007
On August 31st, Sigrid Johnson was appointed Canada's new Ambassador
to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). KAIROS is asking for
your help to encourage the new Ambassador to support political processes
in the DRC that include further democratic development and a commitment
to the rule of law.
Over the last few months, dozens of mining contracts signed during
the transition from dictatorship to democracy have been reviewed
by a panel set up by the Congolese government under pressure of
Congolese civil society. KAIROS is requesting that Canada demand
the publication of the final report of the ministerial commission,
and ensure that any new agreements between the Congolese authorities
and mining companies (particularly Canadian companies) include a
commitment to protect the rights of Congolese including their right
to get a fair share of the wealth of their country.
Two years ago, Pascal Kabangulu, Executive Director of the KAIROS
partner Héritiers de la justice was assassinated allegedly
for investigating the links between illicit mining activities in
South Kivu province and local authorities, particularly the military.
Eastern DRC has a notoriously troubled history of combining resource
extraction, human rights abuses and so-called “militarized
commerce”. Those believed to have committed this act in the
military and local government have still not been brought to justice.
Requested Action
Please send a letter, fax, or email to Kinshasa urging the new
Ambassador to make the defence of human rights a priority during
her tenure. Please consider including some of the following points
in your message:
1. Elections in 2006 are only the first step to political stability.
In talks with the Congolese government, Canada must place emphasis
on the need to develop a strong and independent judicial system
that protects people's right to speak against any policies and practices
of Congolese civil and military officials;
2. Justice for victims of crimes and political murders must be ensured.
Canada should work with the local human rights groups in demanding
a new judicial inquiry into the killing of Pascal Kabangulu;
3. Control over the DRC’s vast natural resource wealth has
been, and continues to be a major cause of violence in the country.
Canada must support efforts to improve management of natural resources,
including by requiring companies to comply with international human
rights law. Canadian companies should adhere to all international
laws when investing overseas and Canada should pursue its own domestic
legislation to hold Canadian companies operating overseas accountable.
Address letters to:
Ambassador Sigrid Johnson
The Canadian Embassy
P.O. Box 500, (Kinshasa) Stn A,
Ottawa, ON
K1N 8T7 Canada
Fax: (243) 99-997-5403
E-mail: kinshasa@international.gc.ca
For a further update on the situation in the DRC,
please see http://kairoscanada.org/e/humanrights/DRCupdate0711.asp.
Please consider sending a copy of your letter to KAIROS:
129 St. Clair Ave W.
Toronto, ON
M4V 1N5
Attn: John Lewis
Fax: 416-463-5569
E-mail: jlewis@kairoscanada.org
To find out more, please email
John Lewis, Program Coordinator for International Human Rights
or phone him at 416-463-5312 x 224.
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