U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of the Congo,

31^st Session
Geneva, November 14, 2018
as prepared

The United States welcomes the Republic of the Congo to the UPR Working Group.

We recommend that the Republic of the Congo:

1. Release all remaining prisoners of conscience, investigate reports of abuses by security forces and deaths of persons in detention, and take effective measures to ensure fair trial guarantees for all individuals.
2. Revise laws regarding freedom of association and peaceful assembly to ensure they are consistent with your international obligations and commitments.
3. Enact comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation that criminalizes all forms of trafficking and prescribes sufficiently stringent penalties.

We welcome the Republic of the Congo’s progress towards peace in the Pool Department.  We encourage continued efforts towards disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and community dialogue.  We remain concerned by reports of abuse in prisons, lengthy pre-trial detention, and inadequate trial procedures.  We are also concerned about inadequate anti-trafficking legislation and enforcement efforts but recognize the Republic of the Congo is making efforts to improve its work in this area.