CONFIDENTIAL
ZAIRE
Report by HM Embassy, Kinshasa
Right No.
(i)
(ii)
We have no certain information on imprisonment without trial, but we believe it to exist on a small scale. But it may be as applicable to petty criminals as to political offenders.
We suspect that torture of political offenders might occasionally be used. But as brutal rough-handling of petty offenders is an observable commonplace, this rather than systematic torture is more likely.
Rating suggested by Post
5
1
(iii)
It is unlikely that institutionalised slavery exists in Zaire.
(iv)
The media are totally controlled and such occasional criticism as may appear usually heralds the removal from office of a senior official. Alternatively it will have been deliberately contrived to demonstrate the vigilance, omnipotence, benevolence or any other commendable attribute of the President.
10
(v)
The judiciary is a fully integrated part of the party/government machine. Its members are as susceptible to privately offered inducements as they are to government pressure.
10
(vi)
The Unions too are wholly part of the all- embracing Party. Trade unions have no
10
separate existence.
(vii)
There is no formalised system of emigration. People wishing to leave the country in- variably need permission to do so, but - as with most African states - there is probably some illegal migration.
10
CONFIDENTIAL