Alpha Omega World Peace Community Development Foundation RD Congo

Inondations à Kinshasa République démocratique du Congo

INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR THE DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE, CIDDH-DRC

Urgent Plea: Protect Our Children, Strengthen Justice

To the Honorable Members of Parliament and the Judicial Authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo,

The Democratic Republic of Congo, our nation rich in potential and youth, faces a grim and unacceptable reality: the persistence and worsening of child trafficking and exploitation. These heinous crimes undermine the foundations of our society and shatter the future of thousands of our young citizens.

As the International Consortium for the Defense of Human Rights and Peace in the DRC (CIDDH-DRC), we witness the unspeakable suffering of these children every day. Whether they are forced to work in cobalt mines, exploited in agriculture, reduced to domestic slavery, recruited by armed groups, or victims of sexual exploitation, their dignity and rights are violated.

We recognize the legislative efforts already made by our country, notably the adoption of Law No. 22-2019 of June 17, 2019, to combat human trafficking, as well as the existence of institutions such as the APLTP. However, the gap between the law and its effective implementation remains immense. Perpetrators too often escape justice, and victims, still too numerous, struggle to find protection and rehabilitation.

This is why we are launching today an urgent and solemn appeal for the rigorous implementation and immediate strengthening of our legal and political frameworks.

Honorable Members of Parliament, your role is crucial.

· Continue and strengthen legislative action: Ensure the adoption of clear and precise implementing legislation for the law on trafficking, and ensure that existing laws are fully aligned with the highest international standards for child protection.

· Monitor government action: Fully exercise your oversight powers to ensure that the relevant ministries and institutions (Justice, Social Affairs, Gender, Children, Labor, and the Interior) have the necessary human and financial resources to effectively combat these scourges.

· Allocate adequate budgets: Prioritize, within the national budget, the lines allocated to prevention, victim protection, and the prosecution of traffickers.

Dear Judicial Authorities, your responsibility is immense.

· Enforce the law firmly and swiftly: Ensure that every case of child trafficking and exploitation is investigated with the utmost diligence, and that perpetrators are identified, prosecuted, and sentenced in an exemplary manner, without any complacency.

· Train and specialize your teams: Strengthen the capacities of judges, prosecutors, and judicial police officers in investigating crimes of child trafficking and exploitation, with an emphasis on the protection of victims and witnesses.

· Collaborate effectively: Intensify cooperation between the various departments (police, justice, immigration, labor inspectorate) and with civil society organizations to dismantle criminal networks.

Now is the time for concerted and determined action. Protecting our children is not only a legal obligation, it is a moral imperative and a guarantee of our nation's future stability and prosperity.

CIDDH-RDC, through its CyberPaixRDC program, is ready to collaborate closely with you, bringing its expertise and field experience to make the DRC a country where childhood is sacred and where justice triumphs over exploitation.

We count on your commitment and leadership to make the protection of our children a tangible reality.

With our most respectful greetings,

Jean Christophe Mashali

President

CIDDH-RDC

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INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR THE DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE, CIDDH-DRC.

CYBERPAIXRDC PROGRAM

Presentation: CyberPaixRDC - Building Together a Digital Space of Peace and Respect in the DRC

What is CyberPaixRDC?

CyberPaixRDC is a flagship program of the International Consortium for the Defense of Human Rights and Peace (CIDDH-DRC) aimed at countering the growing threat of hate speech, destructive political stereotypes, insults, threats, incitement to discrimination and violence, as well as online moral depravity, prejudice, and xenophobia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a vision of expansion in the Great Lakes sub-region and a global commitment.
CyberPaixRDC is a multi-stakeholder initiative that takes a holistic approach to creating a safer, more inclusive digital space that respects human rights. We work through:
1. Raising awareness and educating the public, particularly young people, about the dangers of online hate and promoting responsible digital citizenship.
2. Building the capacity of key stakeholders (CSOs, journalists, educators, justice and law enforcement professionals) to effectively identify, counter, and report hateful content.
3. Promoting positive counter-narratives that celebrate diversity, encourage unity, and deconstruct stereotypes.
4. Supporting victims of online hate through listening and referral mechanisms.
5. Advocating with authorities and online platforms to adopt effective policies and regulations.
6. Collaborating with local, regional, and international partners for coordinated action.

Why CyberPaixRDC?
In the current context of the DRC, marked by a complex history and growing online divisions, CyberPaixRDC is an urgent and necessary response to:
• Counter the escalation of online hatred: Digital platforms have become powerful vectors for the spread of toxic discourse that exacerbates tensions and threatens social cohesion.
• Protect human rights:
Online hatred undermines the dignity, security, and fundamental rights of individuals and groups.
• Prevent violence and instability:
The history of the Great Lakes region teaches us the tragic consequences of hatred. Acting online means preventing its repercussions offline.
• Promote a culture of peace:
We believe that the digital space can and must be a place for respectful exchange and the building of a peaceful and inclusive society. • Strengthening democracy and healthy public debate:
Combating political stereotypes and online insults is essential for informed and respectful public debate.
• Preparing for a responsible digital future: Educating young people on the ethical and constructive use of social media is an investment in the future of the DRC.
CyberPaixRDC positions itself as a key player in catalyzing positive change in the Congolese digital space and beyond. We are convinced that, with the support of authorities and partners, we can together build an online environment where peace, respect, and human rights prevail.
In summary: CyberPaixRDC is CIDDH-RDC's initiative to address the threat of online hate in the DRC and the region by focusing on education, capacity building, peacebuilding, and advocacy, in order to build a safer and more inclusive digital space for all.

DIRECTED BY JEAN CHRISTOPHE MASHALI, PRESIDENT OF CIDDH-RDC