The Congolese human rights NGO, Center for Actions for Development (CAD), deplored in a report on Wednesday the increase in cases of torture in Congo-Brazzaville, which it said increased from 13 during the four first months of 2023 to 122 during the same period of 2024. “The situation is extremely worrying,” said Trésor Nzila, executive director of the DAC, commenting on the report to the press.
13 documented cases of torture
From January to April “2023, we had 13 documented cases of torture. And, this year, we went to 122 cases of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” he detailed. The DAC, which has not published figures for the other months of 2023, presented its report in a room at the United Nations Information Center in Brazzaville. All of its activists wore t-shirts reading: “Congo, stop Torture? When will the incrimination begin?”
Created in 2021, this NGO conducts and publishes a survey on torture every year, while the country is a signatory to the United Nations convention against this practice. “It is important that the authorities take measures to combat this practice. They must take their responsibilities,” said Trésor Nzila. According to him, “the best strike force is justice”.
Before the presentation of the report, the audience followed the testimony of Roberto Lissassi, 27 years old, unemployed graduate, victim of torture in 2023. “I lost my sight because of torture (…). I become dependent, I cannot read or write, I no longer have dignity,” Roberto Lissassi told AFP.