Foreign Affairs Committee on Nov. 28th, 2018

[Fredrick Wangabo Mwenengabo]

Fine.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Kapenda, could Canada help the DRC to hold credible elections?

[Marc Kapenda]

There are issues with the upcoming Congo election because of the facts we outlined.

First of all, people don't want the voting machine. We have to exert enough pressure to get rid of the voting machine and have printed ballots. Those things can be done quickly. Voting ballots can be printed in one day. It really does not require much time. Since the voting machine does not inspire trust, we need to eliminate it and replace it with ballots.

Also, even if the electoral list was not revised, the elections could work if there were enough observers to watch the process and ensure that fake electors do not vote. The electoral list is said to be corrupt, that is to say that it contains fictional electors. However, if there is enough oversight to prevent fictional electors from coming in, it would be possible to get around that fraud and to have acceptable elections. The election can be made more credible thanks to the witnesses. It is possible.

We know that the problem is not insoluble. It can be resolved if enough pressure is brought to bear to get rid of the election machine, and if observers can play their role in a valid way.

[The Chair]

Thank you, Professor Kapenda.

My other colleague has a quick question to ask. Please go ahead.

[Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

In the testimony, we heard about mass graves, mass killings and millions dead. One of you gentlemen said that the DRC is blessed with natural resources, but it also seems to be a misfortune.

Professor Kapenda, you referenced blood metals. I think you said coltan. In 2009-10, I had contacted Blackberry, because that was a metal they were using in their devices. Canada clearly is looking for ways to help the DRC, but most Canadians don't realize we've contributed to the horrors. This information has been available for over a decade, yet in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last year, Blackberry agreed in a compulsory disclosure that they continued to use conflict minerals, a portion of which may have originated in the DRC, and listed it as “necessary conflict minerals”. In many cases they have unknown origin.

Professor Kapenda, you referenced coltan. Canadian industry and businesses are implicated. As a Canadian from the Congo, would you like to comment on this topic?

[Marc Kapenda]

I will be very brief, and my colleagues can complete my answer.

The enterprises are subject to an ethics principle known as the SRE, that is to say the social responsibility of enterprises. In the Congo at this time, the state deals in kickbacks and corruption to allow any enterprise to operate as it wishes. Thanks to the social responsibility of enterprises policy, we expect that foreign companies that exploit DRC resources will at least contribute to the development of the local population.

[The Chair]

Thank you. Unfortunately I have to cut things off there because our other witnesses are here.

Gentlemen, I want to thank the three of you for being here and providing such compelling testimony today. These are not easy issues. I thank you for your passion and for taking the time to join us.

With that, we're going to break for one minute to switch in our next witnesses. If members can stay in their seats, or get back to their seats within a minute, that would be fantastic.

[The Chair]

Thank you very much. I want to welcome our two witnesses for our second panel.

We have by video conference Julienne Lusenge, president and co-founder, and director of the Fund for Congolese Women. Also here joining us this afternoon we have Yvette Yende-Ashiri, research co-ordinator, University of Ottawa. I think because we have Ms. Lusenge on the phone, maybe we'll begin with her.

Can you hear us?

[Julienne Lusenge, Director, Congolese Women's Fund, President and Cofounder, Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral]

Yes, I can hear you.

[The Chair]

If we can have you provide remarks for about seven minutes, that would be fantastic. Please go ahead and then we'll move to Ms. Yende-Ashiri.

[Julienne Lusenge]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for the invitation to appear before the members of the committee to give my testimony. This gives me the opportunity to talk about the situation of women in my country, and also about the needs of our population in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Canada has been supporting my country for several decades. Canada has come to the aid of the survivors of sexual violence, a plague that ravages and destroys the dignity of Congolese women, our dignity, my dignity. Canada supports several projects in Congo. Our organization, the Congolese Women's Fund, is currently executing a project funded by the Women, Peace and Security Program, entitled “Renforcement des capacités des femmes sur la médiation des conflits électoraux en République démocratique du Congo”, to strengthen women's skills in mediating electoral conflicts in the DRC. We are in the midst of an electoral process at this time. As we speak today, in the context of that project, we have begun training 30 electoral conflict mediators, 45 observers and 45 candidates. We are grateful to the people of Canada, to its government, and to its Parliament.

Today we are discussing conflict, peace and security. It is important to include women in all steps in the resolution of conflicts and in the peace process, whether village women or city women. Since violence reigns over our daily lives, we Congolese women are trying to force open the door so that we can participate and take our place in the peace process, pursuant to United Nations Resolution 1325. Armed conflicts continue to dehumanize the Congolese people.

In light of this, we are asking Canada to work for peace, not only by offering financial aid to mitigate the consequences of this violence, notably by supporting the project to fight against sexual violence—and we are very grateful for that help—but also by providing men in the commands and United Nations troops to fight these anti-values and contribute effectively to the establishment of peace.

We have been through atrocious wars for more than 20 years in the DRC. It is more than time for Canada to really get involved and throw all of its weight behind ending these interminable wars. Armed groups or rebels from neighbouring countries like Rwanda or Uganda should go back to their countries, and we want Canada to help us defend that point of view and support our efforts so that they are sent back home. A program to demobilize local militia should be supported by Canada. Your country will, however, have to see to it that women take part in the development of that program, to avoid past errors that occurred in other programs set up by other countries.

Canada must support women's associations directly and trust Congolese organizations, so that the funding we have heard about, from the feminist fund, is used to support the efforts of Congolese women.

In order to resolve conflicts, women have to be involved in the peace negotiation process and in politics. Canada must provide significant financial and technical support for the efforts made by Congolese women, and for the organizations that are working for peace, pursuant to Resolution 1325. Canada must also facilitate exchanges with other women in the world and in Canada about their experience. Moreover, Canada should support training for young people and women on peaceful cohabitation.

Canada should strengthen its influence in the Great Lakes region and ask leaders to respect their commitments to peace and non-aggression and the fight against sexual violence. It should also support the peoples' efforts in advocating for democracy.

Despite this bleak picture, the Congolese people, especially the women, remain hopeful. They're working tirelessly and with a smile. We want to change our situation and build a real democracy to reach the targets set out in the sustainable development objectives by 2030. That's why the Congolese people, especially women, are working each day to ensure credible, free, transparent and democratic elections. We don't want any election that could plunge us back into even more deplorable situations. We want the system to change. We're asking Canada to support this hope.

Democracy brings peace and security. Canada must help the Congolese people in their quest for free, transparent, democratic and peaceful elections. Today, the Congolese people want and deserve clean elections, with a level playing field, real choices and real competition. We're asking Canada to work with its allies and local partners to support Congo and address the important aspects of the electoral process, such as the security of the vote and fraud prevention. Through its support of major observation missions, Canada has always been a leader in promoting free and fair elections around the world.

In terms of respect for human rights, Canada must help us by clearly expressing its position on the serious human rights violations occurring in the DRC. Canada must work with its partners to put pressure on the authorities in the DRC and on anyone who commits human rights violations or sexual violence or who pillages resources. This includes the neighbouring countries that, in doing so, perpetuate the wars.

Justice strengthens peace, and peace is fuelled by justice. Canada must support the restoration of justice, since legal dysfunction and impunity fuel conflicts. Canada must also make significant efforts to help the judges and lawyers who support reform and to improve access to a fair justice system for ordinary Congolese people, especially women survivors of conflict and sexual violence.

We're asking Canada to become involved and to support free elections, an independent judiciary, a strong civil society and free media. These are the essential components of democracy, where accountable and transparent decision-making is the norm and where people and their rights are respected and protected. This will address serious human rights violations and build democracy, peace and development.

A new Congolese Women's Fund project will help the associations provide access to legal aid for the most vulnerable women survivors, work for peace so that they can also benefit...

[The Chair]

Ms. Lusenge.

[Julienne Lusenge]

I'm almost finished, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair]

We have the written form of your testimony. All members have it, so I'm going to suggest, because we want to have time for lots of questions, that if you can just take another 30 seconds to finish off, then we'll go to the other witness. We do have your written comments, though.

[Julienne Lusenge]

I'll conclude.

Canada has supported long-term projects in our country. We want this support to continue to ensure that we women can reform the country, that human rights are respected and that the empowerment of Congolese women can become a reality.

Thank you.

[The Chair]

Thank you.

Now we're going to move to Ms. Yende-Ashiri, please.

[Yvette Yende-Ashiri, Research Coordinator, University of Ottawa, As an Individual]

Mr. Chairman, members of the standing committee, ladies and gentlemen, bonjour, mbote, hujambo, betu'abu, hello. It is my honour to be standing here in front of you.

My name is Yvette Yende-Ashiri, and I'm an Afro-French-Canadian woman. I'm an advocate for women's and young girls' rights, and for social justice. I was born in Zaire, which is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo. When I pronounce the word “democratic”, I always ask myself and wonder what is democratic in Congo.

I am here today to be the voice of many women and young girls who don't have a voice. I believe, just as Julienne Lusenge said, that the solutions are in the hands of the women. Women need to be and must be at the table where decisions are taken. Women are the ones who should decide their fate. Women must be the ones leading the country. Women must be respected and considered as equal human beings, like you and me. The solutions will come from women and no one else.

Congo is a country that has been living under the domination of colonization up to now. I consider that this country, which is my home country, is still going through unfairness, especially when it comes to the status of women and young girls. What follows is an extract of the message from women and young girls from the city of Beni in North Kivu, addressed to MONUSCO. I will read this in French.

Our first message is that we are the girls and women of the city of Beni. We want peace in Beni. That is our first message. We want peace. As an international community represented here by MONUSCO, you have certain mandates that are recognized and that you must fulfill to protect the people of Beni from the killings. Resolution 1334 gives you the mandate to contact the rebels and tell them “enough” or “cease fire.” We are saying what are you waiting for, what are you waiting for, how many massacres, how many bodies, how many deaths before you ask the rebels to cease fire? We are saying that we have children who have been kidnapped, who are in the bush. What are our children doing in the bush? Sixty per cent of the rebels in the parks are not Congolese. Only 40% of the rebels are Congolese. We are wondering—have you ever wondered this?—how these people manage to reach Beni. Have you ever wondered about the supply of weapons and what mechanisms have been implemented to control the supply of weapons?

This message was addressed to MONUSCO. As you can hear, the women of Congo have been experiencing violence for more than 24 years. Their bodies have been used as war weapons. Congolese women are very resilient women. Congolese women need a change in Congo. We always wonder why we cannot put an end to the war in Congo.

I heard earlier that we were talking about Bosnia. I do believe that if we dig further, with the help of Canada, we can put an end to this war.

What is behind this war? Why is it that the country of Congo is suffering so much?

The Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered for a long time as a result of the proliferation and illicit flow of small arms and light weapons and the lack of regulation of the weapons control mechanisms. The Arms Trade Treaty, or ATT, was adopted, signed and ratified, but Canada and the DRC didn't sign it. However, we commend Canada for its efforts to join the ATT, because at least Canada recognizes that the ATT sets a real global standard that helps prevent human rights violations and save lives.

The purpose of the ATT is to protect people from weapons. The ATT ensures that countries effectively regulate the international arms trade to prevent weapons from being used to support terrorism, international organized crime, gender-based violence and violations of human rights or international humanitarian law.

Our recommendations are as follows.

First, Canada must put pressure on the government of the DRC and encourage it to join the Arms Trade Treaty to prevent human rights violations and save lives. The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, a member of Parliament and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated as follows: “We must continue to encourage other countries to join this treaty, and we must ensure it is properly implemented globally.”

Canada must also show its involvement in disarming armed forces and groups that operate in the DRC. Despite the presence of MONUSCO, we recommend that the Canadian government propose that the Security Council send a quick reaction military force that's similar to the Operation Artemis force, in order to quickly disarm the armed groups in the eastern DRC, since there are daily casualties.

The next recommendation concerns mining. The DRC is a victim of its natural resources, which are a source of envy. The presence of Canadian mining companies mustn't create misery for the Congolese people. The Canadian government must ensure that the socio-economic and environmental benefits of the presence of Canadian companies help improve the situation of Congolese people, and must also ensure the security of mining areas.

I'll conclude by stating the following. No war means no rape or child soldiers.

Thank you.

[The Chair]

Thank you very much.

We will move to the first question with MP Aboultaif.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Thank you very much to both of you.

You finished where I would like to start, on sexual violence. It's a big disaster, and a scourge in the region with what's happening there. We know that MONUSCO is supposed to be the United Nations organization for stabilization in the DRC.

Talking about the election on December 23, the question is going to be for both of you, and please participate as you wish.

The sexual violence that's happened there is a very important issue. It's not even on the ballot box among the parties that are running. MONUSCO is supposed to have some influence in that fashion, at least to be able to push such an important issue forward to be on the ballot box so people start talking about it. It's beyond the economy and beyond the money. We know that the country has resources, and I think that the focus should be there.

Since both of you, the WCWFF with Ms. Ashiri, or the SOFEPADI with Ms. Lusenge, are both very active in that area, I would appreciate a brief on this area. What's happening on this topic when it comes to the election, and what's going on? How much are you hearing from the international community on that topic?

This brief from both of you to this committee will be greatly appreciated. Whoever wants to start first, we'll be happy to hear from you.

[Yvette Yende-Ashiri]

Mrs. Lusenge, would you like to start?

[Julienne Lusenge]

Thank you for the question.

We've been working on these issues for a number of years now. We meet with survivors all day, every day. I asked my colleagues in Beni to close the office, because the situation there had become too unbearable as a result of the massacres, the Allied Democratic Forces and the Ebola virus. That day, my colleagues told me that they couldn't close the office because they had three new cases of sexual violence.

Sexual violence is currently on the rise and is increasing in all villages and cities. Why? As my colleague said, if there were no wars or armed groups, sexual violence would decrease or become less frequent. These wars have destroyed our society. Now, there are no longer any morals or social norms. People behave as they wish. Both civilians and solders commit rape because they can do so with impunity. The justice system doesn't work. The administration is virtually non-existent. Our country has been completely destroyed.

We've even recorded cases involving MONUSCO officers. Why? The international community sends forces from countries where women's rights aren't respected. When these people commit crimes or sexual violence in our country, they're simply sent back to their country. They aren't punished and no remedy is sought for the victims. This shows impunity.

In addition, the Congolese justice system is dysfunctional. Some judges commit to working. In a few cases, the victims were able to access justice, we won our case and the perpetrators were convicted. However, even if the perpetrators are sent to prison, they manage to leave prison within a short amount of time. They return to the communities and they threaten the activists, lawyers and victims.

There are also the terrorists, such as the Allied Democratic Forces or the Maï-Maï. All armed groups that enter a village will rape the women to punish the people and dehumanize our community. To end this pattern of sexual violence, Canada and the other allied countries must be able to send forces to combat all these armed groups. It's necessary to start with the groups that come from abroad, the Allied Democratic Forces, who are real terrorists. Every day, they slit throats and cut open our people. The Interahamwe and FDLR must return to Rwanda. These Rwandan peoples must return home. We can then demobilize the Maï-Maï. We women must be involved in the development of a demobilization program. The other programs were planned without our presence at the table. Some important factors that could have stopped the recruitment of child soldiers weren't taken into account.

I'll let my colleague continue to elaborate on this issue before I speak about the December 23 elections.

[Yvette Yende-Ashiri]

Thank you.

What Julienne said is exactly what is going on in the Congo. I still believe that we need real intervention by Canada into disarmament in DRC. To us, it is the only way we will be able to end the violence on women that is used as a weapon of war.

As Mrs. Lusenge was explaining, the purpose of the violence is really to terrorize. People will enter a village, rape the mother, rape the little girl and kill the father. The woman is then left on her own and she often has no moral support. Rape is often seen as something shameful that taints the entire family. As a result, the woman will leave the area and leave the place free. The rebels can then return to pillage the resources. This happens every day, and it has almost become the norm. If you ask some people why they do it, you'll see that they don't even know. They do it, and they find it normal. It's very important to have Canada's support to end the presence of rebels in the DRC, especially rebels who aren't Congolese.

[The Chair]

Thank you very much.

MP Vandenbeld, go ahead, please.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Thank you to both of you.

Yvette, you mentioned the resilience of the Congolese women. I can say first-hand that the women of the Congo are among the most courageous I have ever met. It's also very troubling, because when I led a training school for women candidates in the DRC and I asked how many of them had faced sexual violence because of their involvement in politics, about 80% of them put up their hands.

The sexual violence in Congo is not just being used as a weapon of war. It's also being used as a weapon to prevent the participation of women in decision-making, in political processes. It's a particularly horrific form of political violence as well.

What can Canada do specifically in terms of the ways in which violence is being used against women to prevent them from being part of the political process, part of the peace discussions?

[Yvette Yende-Ashiri]

Canada could implement a specific program in the Congo. I know from speaking with some of the women that when they try to say something, or move forward,

their voices are crushed. They aren't heard. I asked them myself what we could do from outside the country. I was told that we could create programs and implement them across the country.