Human Rights Defender on Trial in DR Congo

In DR Congo, human rights defender Golden Misabikom, who is the pPresident of the human rights organisation Association Africaine de défense des Droits de l’Hommein Katanga province (ASADHO/Katanga), is being put on trial, charged with "threatening state security," because his organization published a report alleging state complicity in illegal uranium mining.

Further details here: AFR 62/014/2009

Please write to:

• President; Son Excellence Joseph Kabila; Président de la République; Palais de la Nation; Avenue de Lemera; Kinshasa-Gombe; Democratic Republic of Congo; E-mail: presipp@yahoo.fr (Salutation: Dear President Kabila)
• Justice Minister; Luzolo Bambi Lessa; Ministère de la Justice; 228 Avenue de Lemera; BP 3137 Kinshasa-Gombe; Democratic Republic of Congo; Email : pourtous.justice@yahoo.fr (Salutation: Dear Minister)

My letter is below:

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA

Son Excellence Joseph Kabila
Président de la République
Palais de la Nation
Avenue de Lemera
Kinshasa-Gombe
Democratic Republic of Congo


Dear President Kabila,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I write to demand that you release Golden Misabiko immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience detained solely for his lawful human rights work.

I urge you also to guarantee Golden Misabiko's right to freedom of expression, including the right to conduct research, publish and disseminate, by himself or through ASADHO/Katanga, human rights information, a principle recognized by the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

This letter has been made public here: http://aiua-sent.blogspot.com/