Beni, North Kivu – August 29, 2025- The Congolese Alert for the Environment and Human Rights (ACEDH) organized a panel this Friday in Beni focused on judicial performance in climate and biodiversity-related litigation, with special attention given to the Virunga National Park, a natural heritage site of global importance.
The event brought together judges, lawyers, judicial police officers (OPJs), members of the provincial government, park wardens, and environmental activists. Together, they reflected on the role of the judiciary and civil society in implementing regional and international legal instruments.
Participants examined the advisory opinion issued on July 23, 2025, by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which clearly outlines states’ legal responsibilities in protecting the climate and future generations.
According to Me Olivier Ndoole Bahemuke, Executive Secretary of ACEDH, the opinion represents a “historic legal precedent.” He emphasized the need for judges, OPJs, lawyers, and civil society actors to appropriate these tools in order to effectively combat impunity for environmental crimes that threaten Virunga Park.
“This is a mobilization effort so that judicial actors use their legal knowledge and expertise in the service of climate justice, the protection of local communities’ rights, and the promotion of access to justice and public-interest information. Civil society, for its part, must use these texts to strengthen advocacy and influence public policy,” explained Me Olivier Ndoole.
Among the speakers, Gloire Baninge, a researcher in environmental law, expressed his commitment to disseminating these gains: “Now that we have a better understanding of the ICJ’s opinion, we will circulate it within our organizations and raise awareness among the population about crimes related to environmental destruction. We will speak out,” he stated.
This panel aimed to promote the use of existing legal instruments in environmental litigation, particularly those related to climate. To build on these discussions, ACEDH announced the production of a narrative report and an action framework to strengthen local environmental governance.
In the long run, ACEDH plans to expand this initiative to other provinces in the DRC that are facing conservation and climate justice challenges.
Magloire Tsongo