In September, human rights groups in the Democratic...

In September, human rights groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo demanded the abolition of the Court of Military Order, the country's notorious military tribunal that does not make provisions for appeal. The groups, who attended a three-day workshop on judicial administration and human rights held in Kinshasa at the end of August, were unanimous in their demand to have the tribunal abolished. The military tribunal was roundly criticized for being too repressive and for systematically handing down death sentences. According to the UN Bureau for Human Rights, the tribunal has condemned to death 250 individuals since its inception two years ago, "Since the Democratic Republic of Congo would like to join the ranks of countries which are against capital punishment, this number is disturbing," says Frej Fenniche of the UN Bureau for Human Rights in the DRC. According to the UN official, the court hands down the death sentences like candy. "It's quite troubling from the human rights angle. In the context of all the international standards on human rights, this kind of situation is unacceptable and the authorities must be made to correct it in the name of respect for human life," Fenniche said.