Kinshasa, 17 September 2016 - Sixteen civil society activists of the Union of Congolese Youth for Change were arrested on 15 and 16 September in Kinshasa while holding an activity on electoral civic education. The arrests were conducted by ANR and PNC officers.

MONUSCO recalls that the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights enshrined in the Congolese constitution.

Maman Sambo Sidikou, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and Head of MONUSCO, called upon all actors in the political process to "abide by the tenets of the Constitution, including peaceful freedom of expression", whether politicians, civil society activists or media organizations.