September 2009: Update on Urgent Action calling for the release of ESCR-Net Member Golden Misabiko

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Update on Urgent Action calling for the release of ESCR-Net Member Golden Misabiko: On August 19, 2009 the first hearing took place and Mr. Golden Misabiko was released on bail by the Court of Lubumbashi/Kamalondo. Misabiko remains on conditional bail pending further hearings. ESCR-Net will keep Members informed should further action be needed.

In response to a request by members, on August 7, 2009, ESCR-Net wrote an urgent action letter addressed to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and other relevant government agencies demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Golden Misabiko, president of the Katanga branch of the Association Africaine de Défense des Droits de l'Homme - ASADHO/Katanga, a respected non-governmental organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and ESCR-Net member. We have reason to believe that the questioning, arrest, and arbitrary detention of Mr. Misabiko is directly related to his organization's legitimate activities advocating for transparency in the mining sector and defending human rights, especially the health and environmental rights of people in southeastern DRC.

The letter called on all relevant government authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Golden Misabiko;
• Ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Misabiko by assuring that his treatment in detention adheres to the "Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment," adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988;
• Take all necessary measures to put an end to intimidation and ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all members of ASADHO/Katanga; and
• Guarantee in all circumstances freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of the press, and ensure the full protection of national and non-national human rights defenders in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration on the Defenders of Human Rights, adopted by the 'UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, and the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other regional and international human rights treaties ratified by the DRC.

Please read the letter in full below. We encourage you to send your own letters of support.