Democratic Republic of Congo: Peaceful activists jailed for call to strike: Elisée Lwatumba Kasonia and Eric Muhindo Muvumbu

Human rights defenders, Elisée Lwatumba Kasonia and Eric Muhindo Muvumbu were arrested on 19 April by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) in the town of Butembo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province, while calling for a general strike to protest against increased deadly armed attacks in the north eastern territory of Beni. They spent a night in a cell at the ANR before being transferred to a cell at the Prosecutor’s office. On 24 April, they were transferred to the Butembo Central Prison where they are currently being held. The two members of the youth movement, Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) are accused of “troubling public order” and “inciting for fiscal disobedience.” They must be immediately and unconditionally released.

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