Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Nine years after the tragic assassination of United Nations experts Zaida Catalán and Michael J. Sharp, the Forum des Droits Humains (Human Rights Forum) renews its call for truth, justice, and full accountability for this crime, which shocked the international community and remains a painful reminder of the dangers faced by human rights defenders and independent investigators.
On 12 March 2017, Zaida Catalán of Sweden and Michael J. Sharp of the United States, members of the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were abducted and brutally killed while carrying out an independent investigation into the security situation in the Kasai region. Their Congolese interpreter also lost his life during the incident.
Despite judicial proceedings that have led to convictions, many questions surrounding the planning, execution, and possible involvement of other actors remain unanswered. The families of the victims, the Congolese people, and the international community continue to deserve the complete truth.
The Forum des Droits Humains welcomes every credible effort to combat impunity. However, justice cannot be considered complete until all those who ordered, planned, facilitated, or participated in these crimes are identified through fair and independent judicial processes and held accountable in accordance with the law.
The assassination of UN experts was not only an attack against two dedicated professionals; it was also an attack on international justice, accountability, and the search for truth in conflict-affected areas.
The Human Rights Forum therefore calls on:
The Congolese authorities to continue independent and impartial investigations into all remaining aspects of the case;
The United Nations and international partners to maintain their support for efforts aimed at establishing the full truth;
The international community to remain committed to protecting investigators, journalists, human rights defenders, and all those working to expose serious human rights violations.
The fight against impunity is essential for lasting peace, justice, and the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The memory of Zaida Catalán and Michael J. Sharp must continue to inspire the pursuit of accountability and the protection of those who courageously seek the truth.
Justice delayed should not become justice denied
Human Rights Forum
Promoting Human Rights, Justice, Democracy, and Accountability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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