The Congolese constitution recognizes the crucial role of civil society organizations in contributing towards the education of its citizens and to development more broadly. However a proposed "Ministerial Decree Regulating the Registration of Non-Governmental Organizations and Environmental Associations" could open the way for restricting and undermining this important role of NGOs, abolishing constructive critique and alternative views emerging from civil society.
Historical evidence and experiences have time and again confirmed that non-participatory and non-transparent approaches to development and environmental policies not only fail, but often lead to further and intensified conflicts.
Global Witness, along with other international environmental NGOs, therefore wrote to the Congolese Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism to express our deep concern about the proposed Decree.
Downloads
Open letter to DRC Environment Minister