According to sources consulted by the Research Directorate, Timothée Moleka Nzuluma is the Minister of Youth and Sports in the Democratic Republic of Congo (République démocratique du Congo, RDC) (Europa 2002 2002, 1194; L'Observateur 18 Nov. 2002; United Nations 27 Apr. 2001). A businessman originally from the Province of Équateur, Timothée Moleka Nzuluma was formerly Governor of the City of Kinshasa and of the Province of Lower Congo (ibid.).

As for his role at the National Demobilisation and Reinsertion Office (Bureau national de démobilisation et de réinsertion, BUNADER), one source, quoting the Congolese Minister for Human Rights, referred to [translation] "ministerial order no. Cab/IDH/001/2000 of 13 January 2001, establishing a structure called the National Demobilisation and Reinsertion Office" (Le Phare 28 Feb. 2001). Represented in the Congolese Ministry for Human Rights (ibid.), the BUNADER is charged with demobilising, disarming and reintegrating child soldiers (United Nations 10 Aug. 2001), as well as preparing demobilised children to return to civilian life before they are sent back to their families (SAPA-AFP 19 Dec. 2001). The BUNADER reports to the Congolese Ministry for Human Rights and Ministry of Defence (ibid.; Le Phare 5 Dec. 2001). The World Food Programme and other United Nations and non-governmental organizations support this initiative (United Nations 10 Aug. 2001). A United Nations report indicated that the BUNADER was also supported by UNICEF and the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) (ibid. 15 Feb. 2002).

In a 13 February 2003 e-mail sent to the Research Directorate, the Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (Centre des droits de l'homme et du droit humanitaire, CDH), a human rights organization located in Lubumbashi, indicated the following:

[translation]

The National Demobilisation and Reinsertion Office (BUNADER) works with government and non-government organizations at both the national and international levels. The BUNADER works in conjunction with several government ministries, such as Defence, Justice, Human Rights, Family, and Youth. The only international organization identified was UNICEF. With regard to local NGOs in Katanga (I have no information on local NGOs in Kinshasa and the other provinces), the ASADHO/Katanga, the Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Center (CDH), Solidarity for Social Democracy (SDS), the NGO BUMI (which deals with street children), the Justice and Catholic Peace Commission, and Kimbangiste, in cooperation with the Youth Division, [all support the BUNADER].

No information on the treatment of government employees and other workers associated with the BUNADER by the military authorities and the security forces, or on the role that Timothée Moleka Nzulama, Minister of Youth and Sports, may play at the BUNADER, 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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Europa Year World Book 2002. 2002. 43rd Ed. London: Europa Publications.

Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (CDH) [Lubumbashi]. 13 February 2003. E-mail sent to the Research Directorate.

L'Observateur [Kinshasa]. 18 November 2002. F. Kléber Kungu Kia Mputu. "Le président Joseph Kabila a réaménagé l'équipe gouvernementale." http://www.digitalcongo.net/fullstroy.php?id=18262 [Accessed 11 Feb. 2003]

Le Phare [Kinshasa]. 5 December 2001. Guy-Marin Kamandji. "Irung Awan accuse le Rwanda de continuer de recruter." http://www.digitalcongo.net/fullstory.php?id=6939 [Accessed 10 Feb. 2003]

_____. 28 February 2001. Kandolo M. "Le ministre Kakez condamne la déportation des chefs coutumiers vers le Rwanda." http://www.digitalcongo.net/fullstory.php?id=1072 [Accessed 10 Feb. 2003]

South Africa Press Association-Agence France Presse (SAPA-AFP). 19 December 2001. "D R Congo Government Regime Begins Demobilising Child Soldiers." http://www.anc.org.za/newsbrief/2001/news122.txt [Accessed 11 Feb. 2003]

United Nations. 15 February 2002. Security Council. "Tenth Report of the Secretary-General on the UN Organization Mission in DR Congo." http://www.reliefweb.int [Accessed 10 Feb. 2003]

_____. 10 August 2001. World Food Programme (WFP). "WFP Emergency Report: Democratic Republic of Congo." http://www.cidi.org/humanitarian/wfp/01b/ix15.html [Accessed 10 Feb. 2003]

_____. 27 April 2001. Permanent Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Les membres de la nouvelle équipe gouvernementale." http://www.un.int/drcongo/disc14/0000001b.htm [Accessed 10 Feb. 2003]

Africa Confidential

Africa Research Bulletin

IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Two oral sources consulted were not aware of the ill-treatment of any person associated with BUNADER.

Internet sites, including:

Africatime

Allafrica

Amnesty International

Digitalcongo.net

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

La Voix des sans voix (VSV)