Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “It would be opportune and desirable to have an International Criminal Court (ICC) for Democratic Republic of Congo”. This request was made to Kofi Annan Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation in a memorandum signed by Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo of Kisangani on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Democratic Congo of which he is president.
The request was presented to the UN secretary general when he visited Kinshasa 21 to 23 March.
The local Catholic news agency DIA reports that Archbishop Monsengwo said every person must respond to the law for his or her actions and that the existence of the International Criminal Court in the Hague is an important step for justice in the world. Therefore the Archbishop said it would be a pity of no Criminal Court were opened to judge very serious crimes committed in Democratic Congo before the creation of the ICC.
In the face of enormous destruction of the state and the people of Congo by invasion and wars in recent years in the memorandum the Bishops say a special international fund would be needed for the rebuilding of DR Congo which should not interfere with payment for damages to be paid by people suspected of committing crimes.
The memorandum also calls on Great Lakes countries and all central Africa to confirm commitment to a non aggression agreement with regard to neighbouring countries taken previously. The agreement should include clauses with regard to economic and political sanctions on those who break the agreement.
The memorandum recalls the victims of the civil war. Kisangani city in particular registered a high percentage of intoxication from arsenic and or barbituric acid. It calls for a properly equipped team of experts equipped to examine the matter.
With regard to Kisangani, the memorandum says compensation must be paid to war victims from individual families to the archdiocese.
To encourage reconstruction in Congo the Bishops ask the international community if Congo may benefit from the loans granted to countries with a higher foreign debts. With regard to security the memorandum says the country needs a national integrated army able to guarantee security for all citizens.
The Bishops thank Kofi Annan for the attention given to the problem of poverty and its victims and the struggle for peace, particularly in African countries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/3/2006 righe 40 parole 440)
