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With the first round of elections in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) set for July 30, 2006, there has been an increase in attacks,
threats, and detention of journalists, human rights defenders and members of the
political opposition. These abuses limit possibilities for the public debate
essential to any free and fair elections. The significant financial and
political investments in the elections made by the international community risk
being undermined if conditions do not allow voters to freely exercise their
right to vote. A delegation of the United Nations Security Council, scheduled
to visit the DRC on June 11 and 12, should speak out strongly against
repression of free speech, and press Congolese officials to ensure that public
debate and the elections themselves take place in a climate that is free from
fear. Human Rights Watch also urges donors to immediately establish a free
speech election monitoring unit to report on and respond promptly to any measures
taken by the Congolese authorities to unlawfully or unreasonably limit freedom
of expression, assembly, and the freedom of the press prior to the elections.
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