The United Nations said on Wednesday human rights violations by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are escalating ahead of a round of elections during which President Joseph Kabila is set to step down.
The U.N. Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) documented 24 election-related violations in August, including arbitrary arrests and threats, compared with 14 such incidents in July, said the director of the office Jose Maria Aranaz. Reuters reported.
Journalists were targeted in eight cases while the same number involved activists, the U.N. body said, without giving details on the remainder.
“This has a negative impact on the credibility of elections … and it confirms a worrying trend,” Aranaz told Reuters after a news conference.
“The UNJHRO remains deeply concerned about the restrictions on liberty of expression in the country and the security of those who express criticisms of the government and its actions,” he said.
Kabila, took power after his father’s assassination in 2001 and is required by the constitution to stand down, but critics accuse him of trying to hold onto power. At least 40 people were killed in anti-government protests in January.
Kabila has refused to comment on his political future, although a spokesman has said he intends to respect the constitution.
