CNDH RDC: Enquête Violences Enfant Sorcellerie Luiza Kasaï Demandée

• The CNDH has called for a judicial inquiry into the severe violence inflicted upon a child accused of sorcery in Luiza, Kasaï-Central.
• The child was beaten, tied up, and abandoned by his father after a prophet accused him of sorcery, and is now hospitalized.
• The CNDH demands the arrest of the father, the prophet, and the stepmother, who were initially released by a local magistrate.
• The Commission nationale des droits de l'homme RDC also seeks disciplinary sanctions against the magistrate for alleged complicity in the case.
• Religious leaders are urged by the CNDH to protect children from sorcery-related violence and act as peacemakers.

The CNDH explicitly accuses the magistrate of complicity in the affair, emphasizing the need for accountability within the judicial system itself.

The National Human Rights Commission (Commission nationale des droits de l'homme RDC), known as CNDH, has called for a comprehensive judicial inquiry following a severe incident of violence against a child in the Luiza territory of Kasaï-Central. The young victim, accused of sorcery, endured a brutal assault before being abandoned in a remote area, prompting urgent intervention from the human rights body.

According to a communiqué released by the CNDH on Saturday, the child was subjected to a beating and then tied up by his own father. Following this abuse, the father reportedly left the child in a bush. The child was later discovered in a critical state by a hunter, who promptly transported him to a local health facility for urgent medical attention. The child is currently receiving care at the provincial hospital in Kananga.

The CNDH's investigation revealed that the child resided with his father and stepmother. The accusation of sorcery, which precipitated the violence, was reportedly made by a prophet. Upon learning of this accusation, the father allegedly committed the acts of violence, binding the child and abandoning him. This tragic event highlights the severe consequences of Kasaï-Central accusation sorcellerie on vulnerable children.

In response to the horrific events, the CNDH is demanding the immediate arrest of several individuals implicated in the abuse. While the child's father is currently at large, both the prophet, identified as a pastor, and the child's stepmother were initially apprehended. However, they were subsequently released by a magistrate in Luiza, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from the human rights commission.

The Commission nationale des droits de l'homme RDC is not only pushing for the re-arrest of the father, the prophet, and the stepmother but also insists on a thorough judicial inquiry into the violence inflicted upon the child. This demand underscores the CNDH's commitment to ensuring justice for victims of violences enfants Congo and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The CNDH enquête violences enfant sorcellerie Luiza Kasaï aims to uncover the full extent of the incident and bring all responsible parties to justice.

A significant aspect of the CNDH's demands includes disciplinary sanctions against the magistrate responsible for releasing the prophet and the stepmother. The CNDH explicitly accuses the magistrate of complicity in the affair, emphasizing the need for accountability within the judicial system itself. This call for sanctions magistrat Luiza highlights the CNDH's active role in overseeing judicial conduct, particularly in cases involving vulnerable populations and severe human rights violations.

Beyond immediate legal action, the CNDH has issued a broader appeal to religious leaders across the region. The commission urges these leaders to embrace their role as peacemakers within families and to actively contribute to the protection of children from violence stemming from accusations of sorcery. This initiative aims to safeguard the droits de l'enfant RDC, promoting a societal shift away from harmful traditional beliefs that endanger young lives and advocating for a more protective environment for all children.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note the CNDH's active role in demanding judicial accountability, particularly the call for disciplinary action against a magistrate for alleged complicity. This highlights the potential for CNDH intervention in cases involving child protection, traditional beliefs, and judicial misconduct in the DRC, impacting legal strategy and risk assessment.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Okapi