Makoki International Hub and Haki Zangu Inclusive Aid for Humanity organised, on 17 July 2026, a consultative workshop for lawyers who are members of the Interprovincial Network of Lawyers for the Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders from three provinces. The Network forms part of the integrated protection mechanisms for environmental human rights defenders established under the implementation of the RENFORCE project. Comprising 15 lawyers drawn from the provinces and Bar Associations of Maniema, Ituri and Tshopo, the Network serves as a structure responsible for providing legal assistance to environmental human rights defenders who are victims of human rights violations. The purpose of the workshop was to establish the governance and operational rules of the Network.
Ensuring judicial protection for environmental human rights defenders
The discussions highlighted the vision and mandates assigned to the Network. These include providing legal assistance to environmental human rights defenders, representing defenders before judicial bodies, referring victims to the appropriate services, collaborating with university legal clinics and partner organisations, and contributing to advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting respect for the rights of environmental human rights defenders. These mandates directly reflect the principal vision of the RENFORCE project: to contribute to the consolidation of the rule of law and the sustainable protection of environmental human rights defenders in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in Maniema, Ituri and Tshopo, by guaranteeing effective access to justice, security and reparative mechanisms.
To establish an effective structure founded upon transparency and accountability, the 15 lawyers, including nine men and six women, examined, amended and adopted both the Charter and the Internal Rules of Procedure. They also established a five-member Coordination Committee reflecting the three provinces and gender considerations.
Close collaboration with university legal clinics
RENFORCE seeks to establish integrated legal protection and judicial mechanisms for environmental human rights defenders in the DRC. The mechanisms include an interprovincial network of lawyers and three university legal clinics. The clinics focus on rigorous research and documentation, evidence collection and practical referral tools, while the Network provides legal assistance and representation before judicial bodies. Collaboration covers case referrals, coordinated legal and judicial assistance, exchange of information and experience, mutual capacity strengthening and monitoring of cases.
A collaborative and multidimensional approach
The initiative creates a permanent interprovincial network combining complementary legal expertise around a common objective. It promotes experience-sharing, referral, follow-up and support mechanisms adapted to the realities faced by environmental defenders. The signing of the Charter embodied the collective commitment of members to work sustainably towards environmental rights protection and access to justice.
About the Author
Victoire Ushindi Mugenzi is a Research Fellow at Makoki International Hub. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Law. His research interests include comparative constitutional law and international human rights law. v.ushindi@mkih.org