AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2016/17

that state actors colluded with some of these
groups.
1. Colombia: Agreement on a bilateral ceasefire and cessation of
hostilities is an historic step forward (AMR 23/4311/2016)
2. Colombia: End of negotiations over conflict brings hopes of peace
(News story, 25 August)
3. Colombia: Historic peace deal must ensure justice and an end to
human rights abuses (News story, 26 September)
4. Colombia: Nobel Peace Prize shows Colombia must not close the door
on hopes of peace with justice (News story, 7 October)
5. Colombia: Security forces must refrain from excessive use of force
during rural protests (AMR 23/4204/2016)
6. Colombia: ELN must release journalists (AMR 23/4134/2016)
7. Colombia: Death threats to defenders and trade unionists (AMR
23/3837/2016)
8. Colombia: Paramilitary activity threatens Peace Community (AMR
23/4998/2016)
9. Colombia: Death threats to Afro-descendant leaders (AMR
23/3938/2016)
CONGO (REPUBLIC
OF THE)
Republic of the Congo
Head of state and government: Denis Sassou Nguesso
Presidential elections were held amid
violence and controversy. Political
opponents were detained for peaceful
criticism of the elections. Security forces
used excessive force and sometimes torture
to curb dissent. A new law further
restricting the space for civil society
organizations was passed.
BACKGROUND
On 20 March, presidential elections were
held under a total communications blackout,
with telephone and internet connections cut.
Denis Sassou Nguesso was re-elected
president.
Amnesty International was denied entry to
the country to monitor the human rights
situation before the presidential elections.
FREEDOMS OF EXPRESSION AND
ASSEMBLY
Following the results of presidential elections,
which were contested by the opposition, the
authorities arrested several leading opposition
figures, including senior campaign officials of
presidential candidates Jean-Marie Michel
Mokoko and André Okombi Salissa, accusing
them of compromising national security.
Those arrested and still in detention included
Jean Ngouabi, Anatole Limbongo-Ngoka,
Marcel Mpika, Jacques Banangazala and
Ngambou Roland.
Between 4 April and 14 June, Jean-Marie
Michel Mokoko was kept under de facto
house arrest, with security forces surrounding
his compound without a judicial warrant. He
was arrested on 14 June, charged with
jeopardizing state security and unlawful
possession of weapons and munitions of war,
and was detained at the main prison in the
capital, Brazzaville. He was later also charged
with incitement to disturb public order. André
Okombi Salissa was believed to have fled the
country in June, following a raid by security
forces on his home.
A number of leading political figures,
including Paulin Makaya, leader of the
opposition Unis Pour le Congo, and Okouya
Rigobert of the political group Convention
d'action pour la démocratie et le
développement (CADD) remained in
detention, following their arrest in November
2015 for protesting against changes to the
Constitution. On 25 July, Paulin Makaya was
sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and a
fine of €3,800 for taking part in an
unauthorized protest. An appeal he filed on
the same day was considered on
6 December, more than four months later,
even though the timeline defined by law had
expired and a reminder had been sent to the
relevant authorities. His appeal was
adjourned twice and a decision had not been
taken at the end of the year. He remained a
prisoner of conscience.
The opposition platform “Initiative pour la
démocratie au Congo - Front républicain
pour le respect de l'ordre constitutionnel et
128 Amnesty International Report 2016/17