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's opening 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.
