Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Tuesday, May 2 through a press release, the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reject a bill that the Congolese authorities could use to discriminate against certain citizens. Congolese because of the national origin of their parents.
This law would prevent any Congolese whose one of the parents is not of Congolese origin from accessing the presidential office and positions of responsibility within the institutions, specifies the NGO.
For HRW, the consideration of this bill during an election year reinforces fears that the authorities could use it to prevent certain people from running for office, in violation of international legal protections relating to democratic participation and to non-discrimination.
The bill, known as the Tshiani bill or the « Congolity » law, was first introduced in 2021 but was withdrawn after many objections. It is now on the agenda of the National Assembly, the lower house of the Congolese parliament, which could debate it during its current three-month ordinary session, which began in mid-March 2023.
« Congolese authorities could easily use the Tshiani law, if passed, to illegally prevent Congolese citizens from running for political office, » said Carine Kaneza Nantulya, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. , adding that “in addition to being discriminatory, the adoption of this law could presage a new wave of repression and violence”.
The NGO points out that the bill is widely seen as an attempt to sideline Moïse Katumbi, the leader of the opposition party Ensemble pour la République, and is seen as one of President Félix Tshisekedi’s potential opponents in the presidential election to be held in December 2023. Katumbi, a Congolese politician and businessman, and former governor of Katanga province whose father is Greek, announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2022.
A number of foreign diplomats, United Nations officials, Congolese organizations and personalities have spoken out against this bill. Opposition demonstrations to oppose it also took place across the country.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1153 of 02/05/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
