Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The Mouvement des mamans catholiques, including date of its foundation, its political view, number of members and their treatment by government authorities (1997 - October 2002)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 31 October 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RDC40044.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The Mouvement des mamans catholiques, including date of its foundation, its political view, number of members and their treatment by government authorities (1997 - October 2002), 31 October 2002, RDC40044.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e0023.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following constitutes a summary of information provided by both the executive secretary of a Bukavu-based Congolese human rights organanization called Héritiers de la justice and by the president of the Kinshasa-based Journaliste en danger (JED), a non-governmental Congolese organization advocating freedom of the press in the RDC, also a member of International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). These interviews were conducted on 30 and 31 October 2002 respectively.
The Mouvement des mamans catholiques also known as the Association des mamans catholiques or Mamans catholiques is a non-governmental and non-political organization. Formed by catholic women, its main goal is to maintain cohesion and solidarity among members and to help them to meet their spiritual and material needs. The Mouvement des mamans catholiques is organized through the Catholic Church at the diocese and parish levels and has thousands of members.
While the two sources do not know the date of its foundation, they indicated that this organization was already in place under Mobutu's regime. However, it became more active since the beginning of the first war in October 1996.
Referring to the eastern areas held by rebel forces where the movement is more present, the Héritiers de la justice representative stated that he is not aware of any particular treatment of members of the Mouvement des mamans catholiques by rebels. However, he pointed out that like other Congolese civil society groups, the Mouvement des mamans catholiques is opposed to the war and to the presence of foreign armies (allied to the rebel forces) in the region and this might be a source of problems with rebels forces.
The JED president stated that he is not aware of any problems between the Mouvement des mamans catholiques and government authorities.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Héritiers de la justice [Bukavu]. 30 October 2002. Telephone interview with the executive secretary.
Journaliste en danger (JED) [Kinshasa]. 31 October 2002. Telephone interview with the president.
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential January-September 2002.
Africa Research Bulletin January-June 2002.
IRB Databases.
Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent January-October 2002.
LEXIS/NEXIS.
Websites, including:
Africatime.
Allafrica.
Amnesty International.
Digitalcongo.net.
FIDH.
HRW.
MISNA.
Observatoire de l'Afrique centrale.
Le Potentiel [Kinshasa].
Reliefweb.
Rights & Democracy [Montreal]. 2002. Lisette Banda Mbombo. Women's Rights Violations During the Conflict in the DR-Congo, 02 Aug. 1998-30 Sep. 2001.
La V.S.V.
