Address the Issue of HATE SPEECH in DRC

The project "Address the Issue of Hate Speech in DRC" is consisting to empower the conflicts-affected communities in Goma to shape their peacebuilding and social cohesion.

Goma as the capital city of North Kivu province, in Democratic Republic of Congo, has been experiencing many problems, including considerable, continuous and very rapid demographic growth caused not only by the massive urban exodus, but also and above all by the massive flows of displaced people from internal environments, fleeing the repeated clashes between the FARDC and national and foreign armed groups operating in the different axes of North Kivu province.

The inhabitants of this city suffer harmful effects, from many of the simmering tensions. It has greatly been affected by acts of violence of all kinds characterized by kidnappings, killings, ethnic conflicts and settling of scores, violence against women and minors, illegal detention and uncontrolled circulation of small arms, the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS patients, a climate of uncertainty and fear sometimes accentuated by shootings and police and military harassment, the presence of ex-combatants (the so-called Wazalendo), some of whom have not been subjected to the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process and for others the psycho-social economic reintegration was not effective and lasting; the proliferation of street children. Furthermore, with the experiencing regional conflict, Goma has become a hub for humanitarian aid as the city faces an influx of mass displacement from the threat of Rwanda-backed rebels controlling the surrounding area. With the experiencing regional conflicts, Goma has become a hub for humanitarian aid as the city faces an influx of mass displacement from the threat of Rwanda-backed rebels controlling the surrounding area. And due to these continued conflicts in the region especially in North Kivu province, there has been, for example,: 

- Permanent suspicion between ethnic communities, each suspecting the others of favoring the secret incursions of the rebels in the city and/or in the country;ü  Conflicts linked to stigmatization and mutual distrust of different ethnic communities (inflammatory and offensive speeches such as hate speeches towards different ethnic groups);

- Illegal arrests and detentions of human rights defenders, members of civil society movements who peacefully demand the end of insecurity in Goma and throughout North Kivu province, etc.

Indeed, through the establishment of a Centre for human rights Training and peace education, the project will contribute to: 

- Raise awareness among communities about respect for fundamental freedoms and enjoyment of fundamental rights.

- Educate the population for peace (non-violence, prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, reconciliation and peaceful cohabitation);

- Educate the population on how to tackle the issue of hate speeches and other hate messages which are considered as linking to genocide. 

As a long-term impact, this project intends to be a framework for exchanges, information, training and education for sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region. It complays for advocacy for responsible behaviour and shared public campains and educational resources for all the communities living in Democratic Republic of Congo in particular and those of the Great Lakes region in genaral.