MILITARY JUSTICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: DIILS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001392 SIPDIS SIPDIS AF/RSA FOR LANIER DEFENSE FOR OSD/MELLINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM MASS KPKO CG SUBJECT: MILITARY JUSTICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: DIILS SEMINARS TO BEGIN IN JANUARY 2008 REF: A. A. KINSHASA 1248 ¶B. B. KINSHASA 1232 Third in a series. ¶1. Summary: Following up on its assessment of the Congolese military justice sector (reftels),the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) has completed preparations for a DRC-wide training program focusing on military magistrates and judicial police. In what hopefully evolves into a long-term program, DIILS trainers will initially present training seminars on "Investigation and Prosecution of Sex Crimes." The level of involvement in assisting the DRC's military justice sector is a first for DIILS, both in the depth of its pre-training assessment (ref A) and in its cooperative interaction with UN Mission in the Congo (MONUC) counterparts. The final program for this first topic includes ten one-week seminars designed to reach over 500 participants throughout all regions of the DRC. End summary. ¶2. A DIILS advance was in Kinshasa from November 30 - December 13 preparing for the first round of training proposed in its August military justice assessment (ref B). The full team will return in January 2008 to implement the first four of ten seminars addressing "Investigation and Prosecution of Sex Crimes." The first set of seminars will train over 500 magistrates and judicial police currently responsible for investigating and prosecuting sexual and gender-based assaults committed by soldiers, police and militia members. ¶3. Based on its August 2007 assessment visit and proposals (reftels),and recognizing the need to follow a more interactive model, DIILS designed a unique cooperative approach for the DRC program. The training team is closely integrated with the MONUC Rule of Law Unit (ROLU),has incorporated the assistance of Canadian Judge Advocate- General, Colonel Dominic McAlea, and is drawing upon active-duty Congolese magistrates to serve as adjunct faculty. MONUC's ROLU has provided indispensible logistical support, ranging from office space for DIILS experts and air travel/ground transportation for military justice personnel in the interior, to local expertise and technical assistance in nine of the DRC's provincial capitals. Col. McAlea, currently detailed to MONUC's ROLU, has contributed his own experience in international military law and his unique contacts and perspective gained in previous DRC training. The participation of Congolese military magistrates as trainers ensures that the seminars will be about actual practice and legal procedure in the DRC as well as the presentation of international ideals. ¶4. Although DIILS originally proposed a series of 12 seminars, the current plan is for the training teams to set up a total of ten identical seminars in nine cities. Drawing upon MONUC's practical experience, the training seminars will combine several of the smaller regions. The DIILS program will offer two separate sessions in Kinshasa, one in Kisangani, and one in Matadi in January/February ¶2008. The program will then offer six additional sessions in May/June 2008, in Mbuji-Mayi, Kananga, Bandundu, Mbandaka, Lubumbashi, and Goma/Bukavu. DIILS also plans to provide basic investigation forensic "kits" to all judicial police investigators, and other material support to military magistrates. ¶5. Response from all levels of the GDRC has been extremely positive. Defense Minister Chikez Diemu has been enthusiastic in his support of the training, and the leadership at both the High Military Court and Military Prosecutor's Office have responded positively. MONUC contacts at all levels -- from SRSG William Swing through the Director and subject matter professionals of the ROLU -- have spared no effort to contribute to the success of the training program. ¶6. Comment: Embassy heartily endorses this program. Long anticipated by our Congolese interlocutors, it is tailored specifically to the DRC's needs and to providing judicial practitioners the tools they need -- literally -- to KINSHASA 00001392 002 OF 002 address impunity. Ideally, it will represent just the tip of the iceberg, and should be merely the first step in continuing USG involvement in the reform of the DRC's military justice sector. It not only offers an opportunity for the USG to participate an area where the DRC clearly needs help (ending military impunity for crimes of sexual violence),but also opens the door for future cooperation in a sector critical to successful security sector reform. Embassy strongly recommends follow-up with additional interactive training programs and other efforts detailed in septel. End comment. GARVELINK GARVELINK