Republic of Congo (ROC) President Denis Sassou-Nguesso vowed on Friday that his government would ratify both the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

"I solemnly announce that the Congolese government is hereby beginning to do everything necessary for the ratification of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment," as well as for Congo's entry as a member state of the ICC, he said in the capital, Brazzaville, during the opening of a conference on government bodies charged with protecting human rights.

The Brazzaville meeting was held for the government to exchange ideas with national human rights NGOs and committees in an effort to improve collaboration with governmental human rights bodies.

According to Sassou-Nguesso, the promotion and protection of human rights is among the top priorities of his government. "The creation of a ministerial department for this purpose is an illustration of this," he said. Sassou-Nguesso also said that a culture of peace was an indispensable element of human rights. "Human rights and fundamental liberties can only flourish in a climate of peace, stability, and a favourable economic environment."

In recent weeks, progress has been made toward the cessation of hostilities between government forces and rebel Ninja militias in the Pool Region of ROC, most notably with the signing of an agreement on 17 March to bring peace to the region, where fighting erupted in late March 2002.

In a recent report, human rights NGO Amnesty International expressed concern that Congolese authorities had failed to establish responsibility for past human rights violations and bring those responsible to justice.

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