Rättvisa för internationella brott i Kasaierna

In relation to the objective of victims assistance and access to justice 5 individual cases of international crimes were submitted to Congolese courts and resulted in a criminal trial where victims could participate and obtain the conviction of the perpetrator, and 18 mass crimes cases were submitted to Congolese courts, among which 3 cases resulted in a trial favourable to victims, 6 cases for which an investigation has been completed and 9 cases for which an investigation were ongoing at the time of the final report (May 2023). In relation to the local capacity building 37 lawyers were trained and mentored on the representation of victims of international crimes before Congolese courts 31 doctors were trained on the documentation of physical and psychological evidence of torture, including sexual violence 29 human rights defenders were trained on the documentation of international crimes according to best practices and international standards 10 Congolese NGOs were mentored on the identification and sensitization of victims of international crimes and documentation of the violations in view of a judicial procedure before Congolese courts 32 police officers were trained on investigation techniques and 37 magistrates were trained on the investigation and prosecution of international crimes according to best practices and international standards. After the training sessions, two networks (one in Kasaï Central and one in Kasaï) of multisector professionals were formed to support improved responses to sexual violence in Kasai in order to facilitate cross-sector collaboration on local investigations and prosecutions. Members of the networks include doctors, psychologists, lawyers, magistrates, judicial police officers, and representatives from local NGOs. The Kasaï Central network has met several times for discussions on issues such as information sharing between sectors, the definition of rape, treatment and medical care to survivors of sexual violence, and mental health care. The Kasaï network was established shortly before the submission of the final report. In addition to above, the project contributed in many ways to the Transitional Justice Process both in Kasai and at the national level. This was done both financially to support to round table and other activities in the process and, more importantly, by active participation in the processes through for example selection and training of members of the Kasaï commission on transitional justice.

The overarching objective of the intervention is to contribute to the fight against impunity and to promote the access to transitional justice in the Kasai region. This is to be done by promoting access to justice to victims of human rights violations and by reinforcing the capacity of the judicial system and other stake holders relevant to reinforcing rule of law and equitable justice principles in the DRC.