Harper stresses human rights during visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses the opening session at the Francophonie Summit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Saturday, October 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

KINSHASA, Congo – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is using his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to stress the importance of human rights.

Harper said today all countries have a responsibility to safeguard the rights of their citizens.

The prime minister made the comments at today’sopening ceremony of the summit of la Francophonie.

Before arriving in the capital of Kinshasa,Harper said Canada would express its ”grave” concerns about human-rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Harper is scheduled to dine with President Joseph Kabila later today, while Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, who is also at the summit, has chosen not to meet the African leader.

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