L’Observatoire Congolais des Droits de l’Homme (OCDH)

L’Observatoire Congolais des Droits de l’Homme was formed in 1994 at the initiative of young journalists, lawyers, teachers, doctors and students. These young professionals realized the necessity of creating a non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan organization for the promotion and defense of human rights.

Fiercely protective of its independence vis-à-vis political parties and religious faiths, OCDH has the following purposes:

• The promotion of human rights, peace, democracy and the rule of law;
• The defense and protection of the rights and liberties of the individual;
• Contribution to the harmonization and elaboration of law conforming to international norms embodied in the conventions to which Congo is a party;
• The fight against impunity for those who have committed serious human rights abuses.

With these goals in mind, OCDH organizes its work into six programs:

• Program for the promotion of human rights education, and a culture of peace and democracy;
• Program for the defense and promotion of human rights;
• Legal assistance program;
• Medical assistance program for victims of torture.
• Program for the special protection of vulnerable groups (including women, children, refugees and minorities).

OCDH works towards it goals in a number of ways including through the organization of seminars and training sessions, publication of a bulletin on human rights issues in Congo called Lumiere, monitoring of human rights violations, the publication of thematic reports and press releases in order to rally public support in favor of the victims of human rights violations, direct legal and medical assistance to victims and advocacy with state institutions, human rights mechanisms of the UN, AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

OCDH is a member of the Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l'Homme (FIDH), l’Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture, and has observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

OCDH’s work on refugees is included in its program to protect the rights of vulnerable groups. This work has included involvement in the repatriation of Rwandan refugees, surveying refugees on their feelings about repatriation and urging the government and UNHCR to provide reliable information on the current situation in Rwanda to refugees.

Contact:

National headquarters

Pointe Noire Office