Arusha, 10 February 2025: The African Court on Human & Peoples’ Rights (the Court/AfCHPR) will on Wednesday, 12 February and Thursday 13 February 2025, hold a Public Hearing in the matter of the Democratic Republic of Congo v Republic of Rwanda (Application 007/2023) at the seat of the Court in Arusha – United Republic of Tanzania, from 9:30AM (East African Time).
On 21 August 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (the Applicant State) filed an Application against the Republic of Rwanda alleging violations of rights and obligations under, among others, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter), the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) on Women’s Rights, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
The alleged violations are in relation to the armed conflict, since 2021, in the eastern part of the Applicant State between its armed forces and M23 rebel group supposedly backed by the Respondent State.
The Applicant State claims this has caused massacre, occupation of several areas, mass displacement of 520,000 people, a cholera epidemic, and destruction of schools thereby depriving 20,000 children of education, destruction of infrastructure such as electricity supply facilities, and the looting and destruction of agricultural infrastructure homes and health centers. It also alleges that the Respondent State harbors individuals accused of serious crimes, and against whom its courts have issued international arrest warrants.
The Applicant State asks the Court to hold the Respondent State responsible, order troop withdrawal, end support for M23, and provide reparations for damages and victims.
The Respondent State has raised objections to the jurisdiction of the Court and to the admissibility of the Application.
The Public Hearing has been scheduled to hear the Parties arguments on jurisdiction of the Court and admissibility of the Application.
Details of the case can be accessed via the following link: https://www.african-court.org/cpmt/fr/details-case/0072023
Members of the general public, human rights observers, interested parties and media outlets are all welcome to attend the Public Hearing at the seat of the Court in Arusha – Tanzania or connect virtually on the following links:
YouTube Channel
English Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfricanCourtEnglishChannel
French Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@courafricaine
Swahili Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MahakamaYaAfrika
For Zoom platform, the hearing will be accessible with simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili and Portuguese.
Zoom Platform
https://zoom.us/j/99379810510
Passcode: 379168
For Zoom platform, the hearing will be accessible with simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili and Portuguese.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and People’s Rights is a continental Court established by Member States of the African Union to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
- The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
- The Court’s mandate includes hearing cases and disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as any other human rights instrument ratified by the concerned States.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from www.african-court.org Telephone: +255 272 510 510
For further inquiries: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar – Robert.Eno@african-court.org
For media inquiries: Chipiliro Kansilanga – Senior Information & Communication Officer and Head of Communication Unit Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org or AfricanCourtMedia@african-court.org
