Kinshasa: launching of a fact-finding mission into accessibility for people with disabilities at public institutions

Kinshasa, Oct. 19^th, 2026 (CPA). – The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched its fact-finding mission on Monday to assess the effectiveness of accessibility for people with disabilities within the country’s public institutions and services, according to a press release. “The CNDH-DRC hereby informs the public of the imminent launching of a wide-ranging field investigation and monitoring mission, aiming to assess the effectiveness of accessibility arrangements for people with disabilities within the country’s public institutions, administrations and services, commencing on Monday October 19^th, 2026,”it is read in the press release signed by Mr Dido Kimbumbu, rapporteur for this institution dedicated to support democracy. According to this document, this initiative forms part of the mandate to promote and protect human rights, which sets out, in particular, the practical arrangements for ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities to infrastructure, support and other basic social services in DRC, as well as falling within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by DRC. “The CNDH-DRC is committed to ensure that no one is left behind because of a disability,” the source has emphasised, adding that the institution’s teams of investigators will be deployed to various administrative buildings, hospitals and educational establishments. “The main objective is to ascertain first-hand whether reasonable accommodation (access ramps, adapted lifts, appropriate signage, adapted toilet facilities, etc.) has been put in place to guarantee the independence and dignity of people living with disabilities,” the same press release has indicated. On this occasion, the CNDH-RDC has reminded that accessibility is a fundamental right and an essential condition for the full participation of people living with disabilities in the life of the nation. At the conclusion of the mission, a comprehensive report, accompanied by recommendations, will be sent to the relevant authorities and to the managers of the infrastructure concerned. The CNDH-RDC has a standing sub-commission on the rights of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, coordinated by National Commissioner Veronique Ngongo Furah.