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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation of journalists has not improved in this second year of the presidency of Felix Tshisekedi. The organization Journalist in Danger (JED) has counted 116 attacks on press freedom and journalists’ safety, including one death, one disappearance, some forty arrests or arrests, and several threats and assaults. A significant increase from the 85 cases registered last year.
as reported from Kinshasa, Sonia Rolley
The report is entitled “The Return of Predators”, and for Tshivis Tshivuadi, Secretary General of the Journal at Risk (JED), the situation is getting worse: “Everything is serious. The figures we recorded today this year, ie 116 new cases of violations of freedom of the press that has been added to the 85 that we had in 2019 and that no one has been sanctioned.So when we talk about the issue of impunity, we say that there are several ways to ensure impunity for a crime.And you know, that out of the 116, we have these cases of journalist murders in a kind of total indifference from the authorities ”.
A mechanism for the protection of journalists
For the JED Secretary General, the DRC should put in place a mechanism to protect journalists, and this involves the appointment of interlocutors, the presidency and the government that can be activated in case of abuse.
Two ministers were present for this refund. For André Lite Asebea, Minister for Human Rights, the ball is in the court. For him, it is first and foremost for the judges to seize these abuses, as the executive, recognized this minister, and especially at the provincial level, is sometimes responsible for these violations.
Press general states
The Minister of Communications and Media, David Jolino Makelele, for his part again promised to organize press conferences and, among other things, address the issue of decriminalization of press law violations on this occasion.
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