Contacts:
Dr. Alafuele M. Kalala
Mr. Rohan Carney
Phone: (202) 463-9373
Fax: (202) 463-9374
Email: cdzcrm@FREEWWWEB.COM
Kabila Expands his Repressive Regime
by Clamping Down on Journalists and Human Rights Organizations
The Kabila regime growing weaker with each passing day continues to lash out against the people of the Congo and the institutions that fight to protect their interests. Instead of heeding the pleas from the people and reach out to all sectors of the Congolese society, Laurent Desire Kabila has continued the dead-end policy of arbitrary arrests and shutting down of human rights organizations and media institutions.
On April 3, 1998 the Kabila government banned the Zairian Human Rights Association (AZADHO) and called all other human rights non-governmental organizations to re-register with the government. The US State Department said of these steps, “this has a chilling effect on political debate and civil society.” The government only authorized 22 of the over 130 human rights organizations that responded to the government’s call to re-register.
On Saturday, April 11, 1998, the Kabila regime continued its repressive measures by arresting Michel Luya, editor of “Le Palmares” a leading Congolese newspaper.
The RNS vehemently denounces the dictatorial steps being carried out
by the Kabila regime and calls on his government to lift the ban on political
parties, include the Congolese people in the transition process, take concrete
steps toward democratization and immediately release all political prisoners,
particularly long-time non-violent, pro-democracy stalwarts Etienne Tshisekedi,
President of UDPS, and Joseph Olenghankoy, President of FONUS.