Kinshasa, 8 October 2026 – Makoki International Hub (MIH) and Haki Zangu Inclusive Aid for Humanity (HAKI ZANGU) express their deep concern following the judgment that the Tribunal de Paix in Kindu delivered on 3 September 2026 in case RP 3393, between the Public Prosecutor and the environmental rights defenders Ramazani Muteba Lawamo, Shomari Collette Espérance and Ushindi Shabani Jérôme. The Tribunal convicted these defenders of damaging imputation after they published a report that, among other things, alleged river pollution and illegal exploitation of mineral resources involving the company Terra Karra, which Hounyeme Kamukunda Carlos heads.
Beyond the criminal classification the Tribunal adopted, this case raises serious questions about the conditions under which environmental defenders can monitor, document, and alert on matters of public interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision marks a worrying setback for protecting environmental defenders and safeguarding the rights of communities affected by activities likely to harm the environment and, in turn, these communities’ survival. It also risks weakening efforts to document and denounce such harm by creating a hostile climate likely to deter and silence defenders and communities as they work to report acts that harm their rights and environment.