"For submitting a request to hold a public rally without having submitted party registration papers" (Country Report 2001 2002 sect. 1.d), Modeste Sadiki Lutombo, J.B. Bomanza, J.S. Mwampata, Roger Kakonge, and Augustin Kadima Tshikala, all members of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) were arrested on 5 December 2001 by Congolese authorities (ibid.; AI 8 Jan. 2002; MISNA 17 Dec. 2001; UDPS 7 Dec. 2001). They were charged with "assault against state security, incitement to revolt and sedition" (Country Report 2001 2002 Sect. 1.d) and detained at Kinshasa Penitentiary and Reeducation Centre (Centre pénitentiaire et de réducation de Kinshasa-CPRK) [former Makala prison] (ibid.; AI 8 Jan. 2002; MISNA 17 Dec. 2001) "awaiting trial at year's end" (Country Report 2001 2002 sect. 1.d).

According to La Voix des sans Voix (VSV), a Kinshasa-based human right organization, Congolese security forces arrested about 40 members of UDPS during a 30 July 2001 demonstration held at Boulevard du 30 juin in Kinshasa, in support of peace and the inter-Congolese dialogue (5 Aug. 2001).

The following is the list of those who were arrested in the 30 July 2001 demonstration.

Norbert Luyeye, Nkumu Robert, Vianney Kabukanyi, Pierre Kasongo Tshibuabua, Tshibuabua Yamba Joseph, Ntumba Mubiayi, Kabuika Kimbu, Kasongo Ilunga José, Kalutoso Zephyrin, Jean Baptiste Matiley Batepele, Edouard Tshisumpa, Felix Muteba Misakabo, Shankadi Muena Tshiela, Tshonza Evariste, Nyanga Fiston, Ambita Mangonza Gilin, Tshiabola Babu Fils, Diangala Kebua, Samanda Pierre, Eyale Butembola, Ndomba Kaputu, Mukeba Luketa, Kongolo Kabangu, Mubenga Musungayi, Tati Lubanba, Faustin Nyati, Kikangaka Jean-Marie, Emery Bangaka, Benoît Nyowango, Babi Nsumbu, Katende Kalonji, Mbuyamba Crispin, Léopold Mukaya, Gustave Mbaya, Ebondo Kasende, Didier Olondo, Kankolongo Kankuenda Cyril, Salamu Mulenda Adolphe (ibid.).

According to the UDPS Website, some party members including "the Vice-président fédéral" were arrested during a 6 October 2001 press conference at the UDPS federation of Lukunga headquarters, Section of the Kinshasa commune (6 October 2001) and others were brutally mauled by the members of the Intervention military police (PIR) on 23 April 2001 while they welcomed the party leader after a 16-month stay abroad (24 Apr. 2001).

No corroborating information could be found among the sources consulted. However, Country Reports 2001 stated that

Security forces prevented political party press conferences and rallies on several occasions, including a July 24 attempt by several political parties, including the UDPS, MPR, and the New Forces for Union and Solidarity (FONUS), to hold a joint opposition press conference calling for the resumption of the ICD [Inter-Congolese dialogue] (2002 sect. 1.b).

[...]

On March 27, the same day the President announced that political activity would be liberalized, security forces arrested and detained briefly two UDPS members; no charges were filed. On July 20, security forces arrested several other UDPS members; all were released the following day (2002 sect. 1.d).

A 29 June 2001 IRIN report indicated that Etienne Tshisekedi, leader of the UDPS, was allegedly prevented from leaving the country to attend a meeting of the Socialist International Organization in Portugal. Citing an UDPS statement, the same report added that, the leader of UDPS "has been forbidden to leave his house in Kinshasa and is currently at home 'under surveillance'" (IRIN 29 June 2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Amnesty International (AI). 8 January 2002. "Democratic Republic of Congo: Alarming Increase in Arbitrary Arrests and Detention." (AI Index: AFP 62/001/2002). http//www.reliefweb.int [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002. Washington, DC: US Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/af/8322.htm [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002]

Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 29 June 2001. "IRIN Update 1211 for the Great Lakes: DRC; Tshesekedi Prevented from Leaving Kinshasa." http://www.reliefweb.int [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002].

Missionary Service News Agency (MISNA). 17 December 2001. "DRCongo: Opposition Officials Moved to Central Prison in Kinshasa." (BBC Summary 17 Dec. 2001/NEXIS)

Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS). 7 December 2001. "Communiqué de presse réf. : RBL/UDPS/DE/099/01: Concerne : transfert des prisonniers politiques membres de l'UDPS au cachot de la Cour de surêté de l'État." http://www.udps.orf/Textes-Europe/belux-171202-3.html [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002]

_____. 6 October 2001. "Communqué de presse: répression d'une conférence de presse animée ce 6 octobre par l'UDPS à Kinshasa no BR/UDP/0819/1002/OLM." http://www.udps.org/Textes-Europe/suisse-061001.html [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002]

_____. 24 April 2001. " Communiqué de presse: Arrestation et passage à tabac des militants de l'UDPS à Kinshasa." http://www.udps.org/Textes-Europe/france-24040.html [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002]

La Voix des sans Voix (VSV). 5 August 2001. "Communiqué de presse no 040/RDC/VSV/CD/2001: Libération partielle des militants de l'UDPS." http://www.congonline.com/vsv/communiques/principale.htm [Accessed 5 Apr. 2002]

Africa Confidential [London] 2001.

Africa Research Bulletin [London] 2001.

Info-Congo/Kinshasa [Montréal] 2001.

IRB Databases.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

World News Connection (WNC).

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International Online.

BBC Africa.

CongOnline.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002.

DigitalCongo.net.

FIDH.

Human Rights Watch Online.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), UK. October 2002.

Médias congolais.

Observatoire de l'Afrique centrale.

Panafrican News Agency (PANA).

ReliefWeb.

Le Soir.

La Voix des sans voix (VSV).

Search engines, including:

Google.

Lokace.

Lycos.

Yahoo.