Lubumbashi, 1st February 2015 - The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo MONUSCO organized a public awareness session for 300 vulnerable persons to know their rights. The session took place in Kipushi on 28 January, a city located 30 km away from the South Lubumbashi.

The members of the Foundation Calixte Munana including disabled persons, HIV-affected children and widows received relevant information on the “rights of the vulnerable people and human rights”.

MONUSCO Human Rights Section’s presentation focused on the definition of vulnerability, the categorization of the disabled persons, the correlation between human rights and vulnerable persons, the bottlenecks that prevent vulnerable persons to enjoying and exercise their rights and the possible solution to help vulnerable persons effectively stand up for their rights and enjoy them. Participants were also updated on MONUSCO’s mandate and the Mission’s priorities for the year 2015.

MONUSCO’s representative was insistent upon the fact that All Congolese people are equal before the law, and have the same rights, as guaranteed by their Constitution. So, he appealed to the participants to stand up for their rights. Disabled persons human beings like anyone else.

At the end of the session, participants said the information received will help them make a difference in the society. The head of the foundation reiterated his wish to see MONUSCO organize more capacity-building sessions for the vulnerable persons, members of their association.