Several sources consulted by the Research Directorate mentioned that rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), including the Congolese Rally for Democracy (Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie, RCD-Goma), have committed acts of intimidation and violence against members of Catholic religious communities between 1999 and 2002 (Country Reports 2000 23 Feb. 2001; Freedom House 2 July 2002; Réseau européen Congo 10 May 1999). However, no mention of such incidents in the village of Katende or its Catholic mission could be found among the sources consulted 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.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000. 23 February 2001. United States Department of State. Washington, D.C. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/af/753.htm [Accessed 27 Jan. 2005]

Freedom House. 2 July 2002. "Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)." Freedom in the World 2001-2002. http://www.freedomhouse.org/research/freeworld/2002/countryratings/congodemocratic2.htm [Accessed 28 Jan. 2005]

Réseau européen Congo (REC). 10 May 1999. "REC-info no. 4/99." http://129.194.252.80/catfiles/1548.pdf [Accessed 28 Jan. 2005]

Oral sources: Three oral sources could not provide any information within the time constraints. Unsuccessful attempts to reach a representative of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (Conférence épiscoplae nationale du Congo).
Publications: Africa Research Bulletin,

Info-Congo/Kinshasa.

Internet sites including: Abyz News Links, AllAfrica, Amnesty International, Digitalcongo.net, FIDH, Human Rights Watch, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Ligue des droits de la personne dans la région des Grands Lacs, MISNA, World News Connection.