HUMAN RIGHTS
UN watchdog gives Congolese a year to hold free elections
Geneva — The UN Human Rights Committee has given the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a year to report on actions it has taken to hold free and fair elections and clean up its rights record. The UN watchdog, whose 18 independent experts monitor countries’ compliance with a global human rights treaty, said on Thursday that the country should come back with an explanation by November 10 2018, rather than after the regular four years between reviews. The DRC should "co-operate with all stakeholders to establish an agreed electoral calendar for the holding of free, peaceful and honest elections as soon as possible", the committee said in its report on the country. The DRC’s electoral commission said on Sunday that the election to replace President Joseph Kabila, originally scheduled for late 2016 and repeatedly delayed, would now be held on December 23 2018. The main opposition parties have rejected the date, saying it breaks the law as well as an agreement to go to the polls in 2017....
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