Democratic Republic of Congo: OIAD condemns the illegal detention of Mr Médard Palankoy and demands his immediate release
3 May 2025
The OIAD condemns the secret detention of Mr Médard Palankoy, lawyer at Kinshasa-Gombe Bar, who was abducted on 14 March 2025 by agents of the National Cyber Defence Council.
According to information reported by the Panel of Civil Society Experts, Mr Palankoy was forcibly abducted from his workplace in Kinshasa. Since then, he has been deprived of all contact with his lawyer, his family or a judge, in blatant violation of the fundamental guarantees enshrined in the Congolese Constitution and international public law.
The arbitrary detention of Mr. Palankoy, without legal basis or judicial decision, is a serious violation of the independence of the legal profession. It is an unacceptable act of intimidation against human rights defenders and a security crackdown incompatible with the Congolese government’s commitments to security sector reform.
This case comes at a time of growing concern for the legal profession in the DRC, marked by attacks on the independence of the judiciary and increased pressure on human rights defenders. Acts of intimidation, arbitrary detention and obstacles to the free exercise of the profession contribute to a toxic climate that undermines the rule of law and the proper functioning of the justice system.
The Observatory strongly condemns the abduction and illegal detention of Mr. Médard Palankoy.
The Observatory demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Palankoy.
The Observatory calls on the Congolese authorities to fully respect the rights of the defence and to guarantee the safety and independence of lawyers in the exercise of their duties.
