AFRICAN UNION
African Commission on Human &
Peoples’ Rights
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Commission Africaine des Droits
de l’Homme & des Peuples
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, Western Region, P. O. Box 673, Banjul,
The Gambia Tel: (220) 4410505 / 4410506; Fax: (220) 4410504 E-mail: au-banjul@africaunion.org; Web www.achpr.org
Communication 278/2003 - Promoting Justice for Women and Children
(PROJUST NGO) vs. Democratic Republic of Congo
Summary of the facts
1. On 20 August 2003, the Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights received a Complaint from the NGO Promoting Justice for Women
and Children (PROJUST NGO) (hereinafter referred to as PROJUST NGO or the
Complainant)1, a Communication lodged on behalf of the NGO by Lawyers
Sylvie Diulu Tshiongo and Kathy Byenda Karubara, in accordance with Article
55 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter).
2. The Complaint is brought against the Democratic Republic of Congo2
(hereinafter referred to as the DRC or the Respondent State), on behalf of Mrs.
Masumbuko Mwali Anne Marie, Mrs. Chibalonza Balole Coco, Mrs. Kamwanya
Beya Rose, Mrs. Fono Onokoko Péguy, Mrs. Nabintu Marcelline and Mrs.
Atandjo Otshudi (the Victims), who are all Congolese citizens. The Complainant
submits that these six women were arrested in lieu of their husbands, who had
1
2
PROJUST NGO is an NGO based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This NGO is involved in
the promotion of human rights and more particularly in the rights of women and children.
Address: BP 16225 Kinshasa 1, Telephone: 00243 815008856, E-mail: projust2002@yahoo.com .
The Democratic Republic of Congo ratified the African Charter on July 20th, 1987.
1