The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein will begin a four-day official visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, at the invitation of the Government.

During his visit, High Commissioner Zeid has requested a meeting with the President Joseph Kabila and will hold discussions with top officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Defence and the President’s Personal Representative on Sexual Violence and the recruitment of children. He will also have meetings with the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, the President of the National Electoral Commission (CENI), the President of the National Human Rights Commission, as well as with civil society organizations, members of the international community and UN agencies.  

During his time in DRC, the High Commissioner will travel to Bukavu to visit the Panzi Hospital. He will also hold meetings with provincial officials and with civil society organizations in Goma.

At the end of his visit, on Thursday 21 July, the High Commissioner will hold a press conference at 14:00 local time in the Alpha Conference Room of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).