Public Statement - The Law Society of Upper Canada expresses grave concerns about the murder of lawyer Jean Kisumbule Muteba in the Democratic Republic of Congo

TORONTO, June 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Law Society of Upper Canada expresses grave concerns about the murder of lawyer Jean Kisumbule Muteba in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Law Society received reports that on 27 February 2016 Jean Kisumbule Muteba, a lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was murdered at Bandalungwa, Kinshasa. The motivation for the crime remains unknown.

Edouard Mukendi Kalambayi, President of the Bar Association of Kinshasa/Gombe, called on national authorities to investigate the crime and bring the responsible individuals to justice. On 7 March 2016, the International Association of Lawyers (UIA) sent a letter to Edouard Mukendi Kalambayi expressing its support for a fulsome and impartial investigation. In their letter, the UIA noted the recent increase in the number of assaults on lawyers and human rights defenders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 2 March 2016, Edouard Mukendi Kalambayi issued a press release reporting that Congolese authorities had made several commitments regarding Jean Kisumbule Muteba's murder. This movement followed protests from lawyers about the circumstances of the murder of Jean Kisumbule Muteba and about the safety of lawyers in general.

The Law Society of Upper Canada urges the government of Democratic Republic of Congo to consider Articles 16 and 23 of the United Nations' Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. 

Article 16 states:

Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economics or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.

Moreover, Article 23 states:

Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the rights to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization.

The Law Society urges the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to:

	a.	conduct a fair, impartial and independent investigation into on the murder of Jean Kisumbule Muteba in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply to them civil, penal and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
	b.	ensure that all lawyers can carry out their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of physical violence or other human rights violations; and
	c.	ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments.

*The Law Society of Upper Canada is the governing body for more than 50,000 lawyers and 8,000 paralegals in the province of Ontario, Canada. The Treasurer is the head of the Law Society. The mandate of the Law Society is to govern the legal profession in the public interest by upholding the independence, integrity and honour of the legal profession for the purpose of advancing the cause of justice and the rule of law.

SOURCE The Law Society of Upper Canada

Susan Tonkin, Communications Advisor - Media Relations, at 416-947-7605 or [email protected]. The Law Society of Upper Canada, Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N6, www.lsuc.on.ca, Follow us on Twitter @LawsocietyLSUC