In 1 June 2005 correspondence, a representative of the Bukavu section of the African Association for the Defence of Human Rights (Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme, ASADHO) provided the following information, which he obtained during an interview with a Debout Bukavu adviser.

Debout Bukavu was founded in 1999 in Bukavu, South Kivu. Its founding members were Jean-Pierre Busingisi (President), Jymmi Rumama (Executive Secretary), Mambo, an engineer with the SNCC [Congolese National Railroad Company (Société nationale des chemins de fer du Congo)], Émile Batumike (Adviser) and Kalihira (Legal Counsel). The purpose of Debout Bukavu is to rebuild the [translation] "Kibonge bridge" [in the city of Bukavu] and to bring together [translation] "all the non-profit associations of youths in the Cai, Panzi, Buholo 6, Nyamugo and Muhungu districts [of Bukavu]."

In order to reconstruct the Kibonge bridge, Debout Bukavu received financial support from the Federation of Congolese Businesses (Fédération des entreprises du Congo, FEC), the GTZ [Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit, a German association for technical cooperation] and Azarias Ruberwa, then-president of the Congolese Rally for Democracy-Goma (Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie-Goma, RCD-Goma).

However, a conflict arose at one point between the FEC and Debout Bukavu, with both organizations wanting to run the project. Through the governor of the province, Debout Bukavu asked RCD-Goma [an armed group that controlled the city] to [translation] "take charge of the project" because Debout Bukavu had not had any problems with RCD-Goma.

At the time of the attacks that occurred between 26 May and 9 June 2004 [against the city of Bukavu], two of the founding members of Debout Bukavu, Jean-Pierre Busingisi and Jymmi Rumama, [translation] "joined forces" with Mudundu 40, [translation] "a political-military movement linked to the RCD." These two founding members took this step on their own and did not involve Debout Bukavu as an organization. Debout Bukavu is still in operation, and its office is located in Jean-Pierre Busingisi's house.

Neither any information corroborating these particulars obtained from a Debout Bukavu adviser by the individual in charge of the Bukavu section of ASADHO, nor any information on the treatment of Debout Bukavu members, could be found by the Research Directorate.

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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme (ASADHO), Bukavu section. 31 May 2005. Correspondence.

Publications: Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin, Info-Congo/Kinshasa, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Kessing's Record of World Events, Resource Centre country file.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica, Amnesty International, Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme (ASADHO), European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Missionary Service News Agency (MISNA), United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), United States Department of State.