Doha: an organisation opposes amnesty for perpetrators of human rights violations

Kinshasa, April 24^th, 2025 (CPA) – An organisation has opposed amnesty for perpetrators of human rights violations, following the ceasefire declaration made in Doha, Qatar, by the parties negotiating the war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to its X account consulted on Thursday. ‘Doha Declaration: we welcome the commitment of the parties to continue discussions for a permanent ceasefire, which will put an end to on-going human rights violations in the east of DRC, but no amnesty should be granted to the perpetrators of these violations’, read the X account of the Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ). In a spirit of mutual understanding and a shared desire to resolve the conflict by peaceful means, representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 held peace talks facilitated by the State of Qatar. Following frank and constructive discussions, the representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 agreed to work towards the conclusion of a truce that would allow for the establishment of an effective ceasefire. By common agreement, the two parties reaffirm their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities, the categorical rejection of all hate speech and intimidation, and call on all local communities to respect these commitments. Both parties agree that respect for the above commitments will pave the way for a constructive dialogue to restore lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region. This dialogue will address the root causes of the current crisis as well as the modalities for putting an end to the conflict in the eastern territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 undertake to respect these commitments immediately throughout the talks and until their conclusion. Both parties called on the Congolese people, religious leaders and the media to support and spread this message of hope and peace.