For Human Rights in Congo!

Summary:
For Human Rights in Congo! is an awareness and advocacy campaign aimed at preventing further human rights violations in the Republic of Congo ahead of the March 2021 presidential election. The campaign is grounded in the documentary Keep Quiet or Die (2020), directed by journalist and filmmaker Aunel Arneth, which highlights abuses committed during previous election cycles and amplifies the voices of victims, families, and human rights defenders.

Campaign Objectives:

  • Document human rights violations during the 2015-2016 elections

  • Raise awareness among the public and decision-makers in Congo, France, and Europe

  • Mobilize citizens ahead of the 2021 presidential election

  • Strengthen respect for civil society rights, including freedom of association and access to information

Actions Taken:

  • Web conferences and public debates across Congo and Europe

  • Screenings of Keep Quiet or Die with Q&A sessions featuring the director Aunel Arneth and Congolese human rights activists

  • Institutional meetings and advocacy events

  • Dissemination of resources, including videos, podcasts, and a campaign booklet

Appeal / Calls to Action:

To the Government of Congo:

  • Establish an independent UN-requested inquiry commission on human rights over the past four years

  • Develop a national human rights policy and enact legislation protecting human rights defenders

  • Publicly condemn all verified human rights violations and prosecute perpetrators

  • Train public security agents on international human rights standards

  • Take concrete measures against torture

  • Encourage the work of civil society organizations defending human rights

To the International Community:

  • Prioritize human rights in Congo in African policy agendas and demand tangible improvements

  • Establish an international election observation mission and an institutional UN human rights monitoring mechanism

  • Ensure development aid to Congo supports human rights and the well-being of citizens

  • Support civil society organizations and Congolese authorities in promoting and protecting human rights

Partners & Funders:

  • Congolese Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) – promotes, protects, and documents human rights in Congo

  • Agir Ensemble pour les Droits Humains – provides technical and financial support to local organizations and human rights defenders

  • National Endowment for Democracy (NED) – funds projects promoting democracy worldwide

  • Cinema for Peace and Democracy – independent film production company focusing on human rights and African history

  • Coalition Tournons La Page Congo, Collectif Ras-Le-Bol, Collectif Sassoufit, Plateforme des ONG des droits de l’Homme et de la démocratie (PDHD) – local advocacy organizations

  • European partners: Tournons La Page (Europe), EurAc, Association Survie

Access Resources

Films & Documentaries:

Advocacy Reports & Notes:

Videos & Podcasts:

  • Video #1 – For Human Rights in Congo! → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#9

  • Video #2 – Shrinking civic space in Congo → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#10

  • Video #3 – 5 realities that must not happen again → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#11

  • Video #4 – What is democratic alternation? → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#12

Podcasts:

  • Podcast #1 – Shrinking civic space and artists’ activism → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#28

  • Podcast #2 – Unequal electoral competition: diaspora & civil society role → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#29

  • Podcast #3 – Women in preventing human rights violations → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#30

  • Podcast #4 – Democratic alternation → https://www.droits-humains-congo.info/ressources/#31

Press & Campaign Materials:

Film poster for Keep Quiet or Die, depicting the struggle for human rights and giving voice to marginalized communities in Congo