The House of Representatives passed the “Democratic Republic of the Congo Democracy and Accountability Act of 2018” (H.R. 6207) on Nov. 27. Jewish World Watch (JWW) has strongly been advocating for the adoption of this crucial piece of legislation since it was introduced by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ-4), with Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37) and Rep. Edward Royce (R-CA-39) earlier this year. We wholeheartedly thank all of our supporters who have reached out to their representatives to raise their awareness of the rampant rights violations occurring in the Congo during the lead up to elections next month. JWW has been documenting these atrocities — including government-sanctioned chaos, mass rapes, detention and killing of political dissidents, and perhaps even ethnic cleansing in Beni — for months. You can read more of our coverage here and here.
The act represents a bipartisan effort to counter corruption and human rights abuses while making a powerful call for free, transparent, and fair elections. The upcoming Dec. 23 elections in Congo have been marred by controversy from the start — first, due to anxiety over whether President Joseph Kabila would once again run for office, in contravention of a constitutional term limit, and second, due to the immense amount of violence that has recently rocked the nation, while its impotent government has not only stood idly by but underhandedly facilitated it.
In addition to its election-related requirements, the act calls on the DRC government to release all political prisoners, lift restrictions on freedoms of speech, the press, assembly, and association, honor the right to peacefully protest, and establish accountability for abuses committed by security forces.
The legislation also codifies a powerful sanctions requirement targeting senior political leaders in the upper echelons of power, including Kabila himself. As John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, points out, “Congress is urging the administration to proactively use the tools of financial pressure at its disposal to help make Congo’s elections credible and to help improve governance.” The United States has wielded its tools of network sanctions and anti-money laundering measures in other contexts; now is the time to utilize them in support of human rights and stability in this war-beleaguered country.
In addition to long-time JWW partner Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37) who helped to introduce this legislation, several of JWW’s closest Congressional allies co-sponsored the bill, including Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA-30), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), and Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-39). During our in-district meetings at their offices, JWW staff and many of our constituents recommended and discussed this legislation with these visionary lawmakers, who time and time again have joined with us in our efforts to counter the underlying causes of genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. We commend and thank Representatives Royce, Bass, Sherman, and Brownley for their commitment to human rights, justice, and accountability in the Congo — a country where JWW has many on-the-ground partners who are not only the cornerstone of our work, but members of our family.
As Rep. Bass astutely declared, this bill “sends a message to the world that the United States has not retreated from its commitment to protect human rights and advance democracy around the world.” We at JWW remain eternally committed to this fight, and look forward to continuing to partner with lawmakers in realizing a better, safer, and more just world for all.