A hearing on the Human Rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) takes place in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brussels

Subcommittee on Human Rights

EU - Democratic Republic of the Congo (T)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

Committee on Development

GOMES, Ana (S&D, PT)

hearing

CREȚU, Corina (S&D, RO)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

Human Rights in Congo: extracts from the hearing

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Sexual violence, rape as a weapon of war, 160 women per week are reported to be rapped.

SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRE&#354;U (S&amp;D, RO), It is sad that RDC is celebrating yesterday the 50 anniversary of its independence, was unable to celebrate one year of real democracy. It is sad that many people of DRC felt yesterday the desperation and the taste of a crushed life, the fear for tomorrow. Our discussion on solutions will include also the local funding, which heavily jeopardize the maintenance of the Humanitarian teams on the field.

SOUNDBITE (French), Paul NSAPU MUKULA, Secretary General of FIDH, (International Federation for Human Rights) and president of the Ligue des Electeurs (DRC), He is demanding a minute of Silence in to honour the engagement of Floribert CHEBAYA BAHIZIRE, a Human rights defender who was recently killed and another defender who has disappeared.

Minute of Silence for Floribert CHEBAYA BAHIZIRE and his colleague (6 shots)

SOUNDBITE (French), Paul NSAPU MUKULA, Secretary General of FIDH, (International Federation for Human Rights) and president of the Ligue des Electeurs (DRC), Unfortunately these murders are not a surprise, because our organisation have warned the International Community a year ago, we have said that there was a lot of pressure on the Human Rights defender and HR organisations.

SOUNDBITE (French), Paul NSAPU MUKULA, Secretary General of FIDH, (International Federation for Human Rights) and president of the Ligue des Electeurs (DRC), Human Rights defenders and a large share of the Congelese population believe that the post-conflict excuse that government is using is nothing than an alibi that masks its failings when it comes to managing the country and to emerge towards democracy. All the leaders that exist to promote HR and democratic change are blocked by the government. I'm referring to the oppression of political opposition, the clam down on HR defenders and organisations and suppression of the media.

SOUNDBITE (English), Noah GOTTSCHALK, EU Humanitarian Policy Advisor of OXFAM, In the South of South Kivu in the time of our survey 99% of women and 100% of boys and young men said that they face greater insecurity than last year.

SOUNDBITE (English), Noah GOTTSCHALK, EU Humanitarian Policy Advisor of OXFAM, Security has experienced by section of population we have surveyed a continuation to deteriorate and community are crying out for alternatives of this cycle of abuse, attacks and reprisals. 18 months on from the forced disarmed operations, that are intended to bring peace today, in reality created conditions in which civilians that are in deployments, in particular women and children, suffer unremitting abuse from all sides.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT), On one hand we have this hug amount of money from EDF dedicated to DRC, but people who are fighting for justice and HR as Mr Mukula has told us, they are not getting anything from this money.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), This whole issue of sexual violence is something the whole EP feels very strongly about, we probably have to send a mission to the ground to see what really is going on and how to come to an end in impunity in this terrible area where 100.000 women had been rapped as a weapon of war.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), (on the trade of the natural resources, illegal trade) "If we could find ways to encourage that the EU will put companies who are active in this business to some sort of responsibility that would be already be an achievement. Yes, the EP has to be much more united and much more determent in its operation with Congo.