NED Grantees under threat in Congo

In a case that exemplifies recent Congolese (DRC) government attacks against civil society, human rights activist Golden Misabiko had been held in jail under harsh conditions and accused of treason and threats against state security, charges that would carry the death penalty. Facing probable condemnation, Golden has fled the country and his colleagues are now under threat .

The charges against Golden centered on a July 13 th report he helped write for Endowment partner Association Africaine de Defense des Droits de l’Homme (ASADHO) criticizing recent uranium mining dealings and the legality of uranium exploitation in Katanga, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most mineral-rich province. Amnesty International identified Misabiko as a prisoner of conscience.

A longtime friend of NED, Golden was first arrested on July 24 th , 2009 and only released on bail on August 20 th when his deteriorating health , aggravated by prison conditions , put his life at risk. During his last detention in early 2005, Golden was beaten and subjected to electric shocks, among other forms of torture. While he claimed no similar physical abuse this time, he was left to sleep outside in the cool night air and subjected to harsh verbal interrogations, which set off flashbacks from his previous detention.

Given the flimsy and sometimes fabricated evidence in the case, the U.S. government took notice and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised the issue in her meetings with President Joseph Kabila and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who falsely claimed that Golden was no longer in jail .

Despite the attention Golden’s case garnered from international news and the U.S. Government, Golden was denied access to better medical treatment after doctors in Lubumbashi said he needed to undergo medical care in South Africa or Europe for stomach problems. Golden was, however, reluctantly released on bail with limited movement within Lubumbashi, Katanga’s capital.

With no opportunity for better medical treatment and increasing signs from government officials that he would be found guilty and could face several years in prison, Golden fled the country for South Africa on September 13 th. He is currently seeking medical attention and funds to support himself in South Africa after the limited financial help he received runs out. His family remains in Lubumbashi.

Meanwhile, four human rights activists associated with Golden, including Gregoire Mulamba, Timothée Mbuya, and Emmanuel Umpula , have received several threats to their lives by phone or text messages. All four of the activists, three of whom are Endowment partners, have sought protection, including a temporary safe house.