Okay, thank you.
Mr. Kabuya and I are appearing today to lend our voice to those in Congo who have no voice.
We live in Canada, a country where human rights are very important and valued. In Congo, on the other hand, something highly unusual is happening.
A number of us maintain that there are no human rights in Congo, and that has been the case for a few years. Right now, there are still wars going on. As we speak, there are still children, men, and especially women who are being killed in unbelievable circumstances. Children are being used in wars, in the mines, and for all kinds of other cruel things.
We are appearing here because we want the committee to make the voice of the Congolese people heard. These things are all known, but no one is doing anything at all, no one is talking about it, and no one is showing an interest in resolving this problem in Congo.
A few years ago, genocides were committed in the countries neighbouring Congo and there were some deaths. More has happened in Congo than during the Rwandan genocide, but no one is talking about out or talking enough about it to stop it.
There are MONUSCO contingents in Congo, but they are not stopping anything at all. The government continues to mistreat the population throughout Congo. It continues to mistreat the opposition. Anyone who speaks out against the government will suffer some kind of atrocity, so to speak.
My hope today is that this committee will get to the bottom of this problem and look for effective solutions to help the Congolese people.
I am speaking on behalf of my people, who are dying every day, suffering, and do not have the minimum of what we have here. By that I mean the bare necessities of life: water, education, the right to health, the right to a social life, and the right to peace. None of that exists in Congo. Even though the government is trying to portray the situation differently, we all know that these things are not part of daily life in Congo.
Recently, there have once again been many deaths in small towns throughout Congo, but no one is talking about it, not even the central government. I am saying this to illustrate where we stand with our government.
We would like the support of the government of Canada and of all governments of the world for the welfare of the Congolese people. That is why I am appearing before you today.