UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
3 Mar
2009
National Consultations on DRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission
MONUC, the United Nations Human Rights Field Office (HRFOC), several International NGOs and local partners, with the support of the International Community, organize national consultations on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) in Kinshasa from 25 to 28 February 2004.
The workshop is due to take place at Stade des Martyrs. The goal of the workshop is to inform and sensitize people on the concept of truth and reconciliation commissions, prompt a dialogue and a national reflection as well as gather facts that would lead to the improvement of the law on the CVR. Representatives from the different DRC provinces, Government Representatives, MPs, Civil Society members and the International Community will participate in the workshop.
The current transitional period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is particularly marked by the creation of several institutions to support the democracy, among which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It has its origin in the resolution adopted by the Peace and Reconciliation Commission during the Inter-Congolese dialogue in April 2002. The all-inclusive agreement for the DRC transition reached in Pretoria on 17 December 2002 stipulates in clause V: institutions are to be created for the support of democracy, among which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The April 2003 Transitional Constitution further confirms the creation of this institution, in its chapter 5.
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a non-judiciary, independent, temporary commission generally created in the context of a political transition, and officially authorized by the Government. Its role is to analyze and investigate human rights abuses for the purposes of reconciliation.
Article 160 of the Transitional Constitution stipulates that an organic law will define the organization, terms of reference and the functioning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the moment, a bill is being considered by Parliament. It would be necessary that the adopted law be able to generate a solid foundation to the CVR and that the Congolese people be on one hand sensitized on the mandate and the functions of the CVR and on the other hand, be consulted prior to adoption of the law. Furthermore, it is important that the law complies with human rights principles, as a democratic institution for the Congolese people.
For any additional information, please contact Dutima Bhagwandin, bhagwandin@un.org; (243) 780.2002 Ext. 6524 ; or Valérie Rocher, rocher@un.org ; Ext. 6567.
The current transitional period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is particularly marked by the creation of several institutions to support the democracy, among which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It has its origin in the resolution adopted by the Peace and Reconciliation Commission during the Inter-Congolese dialogue in April 2002. The all-inclusive agreement for the DRC transition reached in Pretoria on 17 December 2002 stipulates in clause V: institutions are to be created for the support of democracy, among which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The April 2003 Transitional Constitution further confirms the creation of this institution, in its chapter 5.
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a non-judiciary, independent, temporary commission generally created in the context of a political transition, and officially authorized by the Government. Its role is to analyze and investigate human rights abuses for the purposes of reconciliation.
Article 160 of the Transitional Constitution stipulates that an organic law will define the organization, terms of reference and the functioning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the moment, a bill is being considered by Parliament. It would be necessary that the adopted law be able to generate a solid foundation to the CVR and that the Congolese people be on one hand sensitized on the mandate and the functions of the CVR and on the other hand, be consulted prior to adoption of the law. Furthermore, it is important that the law complies with human rights principles, as a democratic institution for the Congolese people.
For any additional information, please contact Dutima Bhagwandin, bhagwandin@un.org; (243) 780.2002 Ext. 6524 ; or Valérie Rocher, rocher@un.org ; Ext. 6567.
