Amnesty International has initiated a campaign titled "Six Million Voices for Justice in Congo," aimed at combating impunity and promoting truth, justice, and reparations for victims of prolonged conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The campaign was launched on October 1 in Kinshasa, in partnership with local civil society organizations. It seeks to mobilize public opinion and push for the establishment of an independent and impartial international judicial mechanism to investigate and prosecute those responsible for international crimes committed in the DRC.
The launch event, held at the Échangeur de Limete in Kinshasa, brought together representatives from civil society, youth groups, parliamentarians, and members of Amnesty International. The gathering was attended by individuals directly affected by the conflicts in the DRC. According to Amnesty International, the campaign aims to honor the memory of millions affected by decades of conflicts and human rights abuses in the country. The event featured a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to the victims and hear from survivors.
Flavia Mwangovya, Deputy Regional Director for Amnesty International's East and Southern Africa, emphasized the significance of the campaign as a moment of remembrance, recognition, and solidarity with the Congolese people. She highlighted that each candle lit represents a life, a story, a family, a community, and a voice that matters. Mwangovya called for the transformation of this collective memory into action, ensuring that victims and survivors receive the truth, justice, and reparations they deserve.
The campaign is set to last for two years, with various initiatives planned in multiple cities and countries. Amnesty International aims to expand the movement to other cities and sections globally. The organization demands the creation of an internationalized judicial mechanism, such as a hybrid tribunal, to investigate and prosecute those responsible for international crimes committed in the DRC between 1993 and 2003, as documented in the UN's Mapping Report.
Amnesty International also calls for the strengthening of national civil jurisdictions, particularly through the adoption of a law establishing mixed chambers within courts of appeal. These chambers would investigate and prosecute international crimes committed on DRC territory, including recent conflicts in the east. The organization further advocates for adequate, effective, and rapid reparations for victims and survivors, including compensation, rehabilitation, restitution, and symbolic measures to restore their dignity.
The campaign emphasizes the protection of civilians and the provision of sufficient, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian aid to communities affected by conflicts in the DRC. Amnesty International stresses the need to protect displaced persons and ensure access to food, shelter, healthcare, water, education, and psychosocial support. All parties are urged to facilitate humanitarian access and prioritize the most vulnerable, including survivors of sexual violence and repeatedly displaced communities.
Amnesty International proposes that October 1 be recognized as a global day of reflection and action on international crimes committed in the DRC. The organization hopes that the campaign will lead to concrete actions and a sustained commitment to achieving justice, truth, and reparations for victims and survivors of the prolonged conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Key points
- The campaign "Six Million Voices for Justice in Congo" aims to mobilize public opinion and push for the establishment of an independent and impartial international judicial mechanism to investigate and prosecute those responsible for international crimes committed in the DRC.
