Matadi, 22 June 2012 – From 18 to 22 June 2012, in Matadi, capital city of the Bas-Congo province, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office organized a training session for 40 civilian judges. Under the leadership of the High Judicial Council (Conseil supérieur de la Magistrature) the training was part of the "strengthening efforts to combat impunity and sexual violence in the DRC" project. A training of trainers had already been organized from 13 to 18 April 2012, in Kinshasa.

For five days, the judges reviewed the legislation on sexual violence and the need for its appropriate application. The objective was to develop their technical and operational capacities through a comprehensive analysis of the laws on sexual violence, the use of forensic expertise, as well as the drafting and enforcement of judgments.

Mr. Nicolas Mabeka Ne Niku, provincial Minister for Justice and Human rights, who was present at the training, called for the judges to act and avoid out-of-court settlements which prevail over the ruling and are illegal.

For Mr. Richard Assiongbon Tettekpoe, Bas-Congo Head of Office of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the judges need to use their expertise in support of the protection of civilians and victims of sexual violence so as to eliminate this scourge and to help the communities regain their social balance.

It is the prerogatives of the judges to monitor the enforcement of legislative and regulatory acts and decisions; search for violations of legislative and regulatory acts committed throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; deal with complaints and denunciations; take all investigative measures and settle disputes.

Maïmouna Traoré/ MONUSCO