The arrest of Col. Marcel Tsourou on Dec. 16 by police forces in Brazzaville, the capital city of The Republic of the Congo, left 80 dead.

According to a report published by the International League for Human Rights Federation, between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, 1997, at least 100 people were executed in Pointe-Noire for reasons related to their political affiliation and their regional and ethnic origin.

Insecurity remains a concern for the people of the Congo. It is characterized by kidnappings, arbitrary arrests and killings. For example:

— The arrest of Ambroise Herve Malonga, the lawyer for Tsourou, while he was preparing to give a press conference at his client’s home.

— In May 2013, John Washington Ebina, the son of the president of Foundation Ebina, was arrested for organizing a meeting for victims of the Brazzaville Arms Depot explosion on March 4, 2012.

— In June 2013, the president of the national Commission of Human Rights was kidnapped by police.

The situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Congo, already serious before and during the civil war, are extremely deteriorated.

These gross and systemic human rights violations are committed in a context where there is not yet an effective judicial authority, and not yet the necessary independence with respect to the government and, therefore, political power. This enshrines and establishes a culture of impunity.

Thus, the judiciary is much discredited among the population and victims of human rights violations.

Name withheld on request, Lewiston