MONUC informs local NGOs on its programme to aid victims of torture

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Kinshasa, 1 October 2009 - About twenty local human rights organizations in Kinshasa benefitted from a training programme by the Transitional Justice unit and MONUC’s Human Rights section. The objective was to inform these organizations of torture victims’s rights and access conditions so that MONUC can better assist these victims.

The three day training, held from September 28-30 last, was dedicated to regional and international norms on torture, to the protective mechanisms for victims, both judicial and non judicial, and to the conditions of access to support these victims.

The Voluntary Contribution Fund for victims of torture is managed by the UN high commission for Human Rights.

Support to torture victims comes in the form of medical, psychological and judicial support, which has exited for two years and dozens of victims have already benefitted this aid.

For those that require medical help, they can demand assistance through NGOs or designated focal points in the different provinces of the country. It is necessary to produce the medical invoices specifying the nature of the prejudice and the amount required. For legal aid, the NGO "Lawyers Without Borders” takes care of victims legal fees.

For MONUC, the situation of torture in the Democratic Republic of Congo is of great concern. Most victims do not complain for fear of reprisal, because of ignorance or for lack of means to pay legal expenses. The training aims to lead to better aid for victims as well as enhancing the struggle against impunity in the country.

The training was organized with the assistance of the organization “Lawyers Without Borders.” Other trainings already took place in Kisangani, Mbuji-Mayi and Lubumbashi.

Meanwhile, MONUC’s Human rights section announces the arrival, on 3 October next, of Philippe Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, who will visit the DRC to evaluate the situation with regard to the attacks to the right of life.

He is expected to meet with members of central government, as well as the local authorities, organizations working in the domain of human rights, civil society and MONUC.