Urgent Need for Independent International Inquiry on Yemen Joint NGO letter to Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Excellency,

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the arrests of at least 15 journalists in various cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday while covering demonstrations to demand the publication of an election calendar. Some of the journalists were physically attacked. The demonstrations were called by civic society groups to press the authorities to publish a calendar for elections, as envisaged in accords reached last December under which President Joseph Kabila is supposed to stand down.

In response to an increase in the frequency of anti-government protests in the past year in Afghanistan, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is today issuing recommendations on the safety of Afghan journalists at demonstrations.

RSF’s recommendations take account of the worsening security situation in Afghanistan, which is due to the fact that both the Taliban and Islamic State are carrying out more attacks.

Geneva, 5 June 2017

RE: Renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Your Excellencies,